1998 Brake light switch R&R
- Thread starter Oldblue98
- Start date
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cnowalk
Geologist
I did it! The video was very helpful and I did exactly what he did by using a small screwdriver to pry off the clip.
Oldblue98
I'm Awesome
And I will take this route tomorrow, considering I can get twisted around under there. Glad to hear you got yours. I was looking again and stumbled on this video, best I have found yet. Have a great evening
Oldblue98
I'm Awesome
Well I got twisted around under dash and replaced mine as well, the snap ring pliers did not work so well in limited space. So I used a tiny screw driver and spread the clip at the groove and used another to pop it off. Getting to the switch was tight but turned out to be the easiest part, there is room on the harness to pull switch down to a easier position to unplug power connector ! Getting the brake rod clip back on turned out to be the challenge considering my hands was to big to get my fingers to it, after losing one clip to the parts monster that eats things, I started using my imagination , I took the clip and lightly used a strip of masking tape and taped the clip into the boxed end of a short 7/16 wrench and used the wrench to reach through from the left side of the brake pedal once I got it to the switch shaft I held it there with the wrench and used a pair of long (hose) pliers needle nose type to put over the wrench and used the steering column as a brace and used pliers to pop clip on the switch shaft. If you have the smaller pair of these pliers the wrench would not be needed, the pair of pliers I had was to big to hold the collar on the clip. But these pliers are thin enough to reach between the steering column and the dash brace. It worked and all is well. But as Someotherguy said it is do-able but not easy or fun.And I strongly suggest to buy a extra clip or two to have on hand.. I had read where they were a dealer item, but I found mine on ebay and ordered two .
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someotherguy
Truly Awesome
Didn't watch the video, did you have to drop the column or did you manage without it?
It's been so long since I had to battle with one of these that I've forgotten exactly what it takes. I do recall doing a full interior swap on my buddy's '98/'99 (can't remember which it was) C3500 that the dash area SUCKS SUCKS SUCKS to work on. Way worse than pre-1995. Came out nice tho.
Started out with a badly-abused 340K+ mile truck (was a wrecker from brand new), replaced knocking 5.7, crashed front end and door, and swapped an absolutely destroyed maroon interior for tan, etc. then the guys at his shop painted the truck.
And yeah, I did realize AFTER I installed everything that I had forgotten those little trim pieces alongside the dash, and had to pop it loose just to get those installed...I didn't deliver it without them!
Richard
It's been so long since I had to battle with one of these that I've forgotten exactly what it takes. I do recall doing a full interior swap on my buddy's '98/'99 (can't remember which it was) C3500 that the dash area SUCKS SUCKS SUCKS to work on. Way worse than pre-1995. Came out nice tho.
Started out with a badly-abused 340K+ mile truck (was a wrecker from brand new), replaced knocking 5.7, crashed front end and door, and swapped an absolutely destroyed maroon interior for tan, etc. then the guys at his shop painted the truck.
You must be registered for see images attach
You must be registered for see images attach
And yeah, I did realize AFTER I installed everything that I had forgotten those little trim pieces alongside the dash, and had to pop it loose just to get those installed...I didn't deliver it without them!
Richard
Oldblue98
I'm Awesome
Didn't watch the video, did you have to drop the column or did you manage without it?
It's been so long since I had to battle with one of these that I've forgotten exactly what it takes. I do recall doing a full interior swap on my buddy's '98/'99 (can't remember which it was) C3500 that the dash area SUCKS SUCKS SUCKS to work on. Way worse than pre-1995. Came out nice tho.
You must be registered for see images attach
You must be registered for see images attach
And yeah, I did realize AFTER I installed everything that I had forgotten those little trim pieces alongside the dash, and had to pop it loose just to get those installed...I didn't deliver it without them!
Yes I did get it without dropping the column, but had a hell of a time with clip going back on until I figured out a way to do it. A guy with small hands may not find it as hard as I did. It is very tight fo sho !
Richard
Its been a long time since i've replaced a brake switch but as I recall you can get a hand on the harness to remove the connector but it is not easy. i think i just ended up twisting or prying the clip off til it broke free. I was unable to get the new clips I bought to seat so i just ended up getting a hairpin cotter pin of the right size to seat on the groove perfectly. A good thing cause the first brake switch was a cheap replacement and sometimes the truck would not shift out of park unless I turned the key to the off position but steering unlocked shift to neutral then restart the truck. I bought an AC Delco replacement pulled the hairpin cotter off and changed out the whole switch in less than 1/10th the time I messed with the original clip. Obviously use at your own risk but I have not had any issues at all.
Oldblue98
I'm Awesome
Harness can be removed when you pull switch down, there is just enough wire to get it down to a easier position to unplug it.
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