Re: IML: 1961 imperial no brake lights now no brakes

[Mark Battesby <a1web@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

maybe I am stupid but when you say turn signal switch  do you mean the 
mechanics of the lever that you push and pull to activate the signal. 
because the orginal broke many years ago when the horn broke all of 
these plugged into a electronic device that had six wires going to it. that 
to broke but after many years looking with never any luck I repaired 
the device so that my head lights and tail lights would work . also 
backup lights. I put in a turn signal lever that returned to center after 
each use from a old ford . so when you save switch I dont know what to do 
. The one I fixed I had to put springs in it from a bic pen . If I 
could get a new switch i would it so happens there not available on this 
planet as far as I can find, the brakes will work if I just disconnect 
the vacume line going to that air bellow thing so i dont uinerstand why 
you think it has anything to do with the master cylinder. My car is a 15 
year
 project that now it appears though it looks finished ,is
 not drivable not really. I promiced my friend who owned it as he was 
dieing that I would restore the car. Now my health is failing its to bad 
I almost got there.



hot rod <michiganhotrod1@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:

Try looking at Master Tech bulletin #161 on the IML site, lots of information on some of the issues you have.
Mark

James L BURTON <brnxbmbr@xxxxxxx> wrote:

Hi Mark, I'm Jim I had a similar sitiuation, with my 60, imperial twenty years ago or so. First of all sucking noise, is that an issue  ? Or you might be passing fluid in your master, after a long time that piston in there starts to ovalate the cylinder wall of the master. then itll suck that peddal down if you have a good vacume. Brakes have ALWAYS BEEN A PROBLEM with imps in 59 -61. I just 3 day ago put a front end conversion with corvette master cyl and a Ford super duty roters calipers. I can stop on a dime now with NO STRESS ! your turn signal switch sounds to me worn out mabey a wire, but that little ball looking thing in the center of the switch has worn down a little that will make it so it won"t stay put to do a signal. Maby a replacement is needed there.  Good luck

----- Original Message -----

From: Mark Battesby

To: mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Sent: Friday, February 02, 2007 11:34 PM

Subject: Re: IML: 1961 imperial no brake lights now no brakes

thanks everyone for all your advice still no luck. In the back one bulb does blinkers, lights,and brake lights . the car does have back up lights also . The car has a wierd brake system. Theres like a bellow looking thing that assist the brakes with air. Today when i stepped on the brakes they went to the floor and wouldnt come back. I disconnected the vacume line going to the bellow air thing , no change . So I carefully took it all apart. There was a spring that had bent in two I put in a new one. Now as soon as I start the car the bellow sucks in pulling the pedel to the floor locking the brakes .. Ive taken it apart several times and I can see anything that is wrong with it any clues ?

john sadowski <jsadowski@xxxxxxx> wrote:

Mitchell's had a 1960 Imperial NOS 4 way flasher kit on eBay a while back. Someone on here bought it & paid quite a hefty price as I recall.

John

----- Original Message -----

From: Dick Benjamin

To: mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Sent: Friday, February 02, 2007 9:15 PM

Subject: Re: IML: 1961 imperial no brake lights

The first year for mandatory 4 - way flashers was 1966, as far as I can recall.  (Backup lights, too.)

 

If Imperial had them in 1960, even as an option, I'm astonished!

 

I learn something new every day, here!

 

Dick Benjamin

 

----- Original Message -----

From: JIM LORENZEN

To: mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Sent: Friday, February 02, 2007 6:18 PM

Subject: Re: IML: 1961 imperial no brake lights

I don't know for sure about the '61s but 4-way flashers were an option on the 60 Imperial and all other Chrysler products of that year.  I believe a 61 Imperial I had once had them as well, but won't bet the ranch on it. 

As far as what was where in the wiring, I have no idea.

 

Jim in OR

----- Original Message -----

From: Dick Benjamin

To: mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Sent: Friday, February 02, 2007 5:13 PM

Subject: Re: IML: 1961 imperial no brake lights

THAT is decidedly wierd!  Has someone modified your car? There should not be another flasher on the car unless someone has retrofitted it with emergency flashers (4-ways).

 

Regarding the various suggestions involving the parking light sockets etc. - there is no connection between the brake lights and the parking lights - they are on totally different circuits - at least they are SUPPOSED to be!

 

Electrical circuits can do strange things sometimes, especially when the car is old enough to develop spurious electrical paths that are not designed into the car, due to corrosion etc., so I cannot say for certain that a bad ground on a parking light socket can cause brake lights to fail - but I'd have to see a schematic of THAT circuit to convince me.

 

Dick

----- Original Message -----

From: Mark Battesby

To: mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Sent: Friday, February 02, 2007 11:05 AM

Subject: Re: IML: 1961 imperial no brake lights

ok Ill try that but you dont think it has anything to do with the flasher cause my blinkers work whether the flasher unit is plugged in or not ?

Dick Benjamin <DickB@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:

This situation comes up about 6 times a year on the IML - you can find many discussions in the archive...  Most likely, the failure is in your turn signal switch. 

 

If you study the wiring diagram in the FSM, you can see where to probe with your meter or test light to prove this to yourself. 

 

The 12 volts from the brake light switch is routed through the turn signal switch to direct it to the rear light sockets, because the turn signals share the same filaments in the bulbs - the brake light current has to be interrupted by the turn signal switch when you are signalling for a turn at the same time you are stepping on the brakes. 

 

When the turn signal switch becomes worn, it usually starts to interrupt the brake light signal even when you are NOT signalling for a turn. 

 

Sometimes, you can make the problem go away (momentarily) by wiggling the turn signal switch.  Have someone stand behind the car (or back up to a wall where you can see the red glow) and wiggle the TS switch  while you press on the brake pedal - you may be able to find a position of  the handle where the brake lights work - if this is the case, start searching for a replacement turn signal switch.

 

Dick Benjamin

----- Original Message -----

From: Mark Battesby

To: mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Sent: Friday, February 02, 2007 2:33 AM

Subject: IML: 1961 imperial no brake lights

Can someone give me some advise. Got no brake lights. I checked the power going to the switch its good . I put in a new switch its the kind that is in line with the fluid. No brake lights.  Now could it be the bulbs cause the blinkers and tail lights work there all in one ? I don't think so There is something weird going on though. When I start the car It starts with tail lights on . Even though the light switch is off. But there not on solid  they pulsate. To make this all go away all I have to do is turn the blinkers on  and off and the tail light go  off . Isn't that strange. Anyone have any advise ?

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