Re: Brake lights sticking in the 'on' position

Posted by Dave Brownell On 2014/4/12 5:18:17

This must be the season for Easamatic brake light issues! My 56 has started to do the same thing recently, and pulling up the brake pedal doesn't seem to correct it. I will try the suggested simple measures first, but I have a few questions:

Do you recommend getting at the master cylinder from above (lying down on the engine after removing the heater vent tube and baffles on the left side? Or is it better to put the old girl up on ramps and work from beneath? In any event, I will clean the whole assembly before opening up the cap.

Another similar post suggested using a sewing needle to poke open the vent, and possibly, if opened up, the compensating vent hole inside. If opened, what's the likelihood that I will need a new screw seal on the master cylinder cap. Should I postpone this step until I have a replacement in hand?

My car has the glass jar remote filler device. Does that affect the venting issues and does it have the same vent hole in the square drive cap?

Finally, I take it that simple, non-synthetic DOT-3 fluid is recommended. If I open up the master, should I try my best to get out all of the old fluid and replace it with new? I suppose that lots depends on what I find once I get down to the darned inconvenient thing. The people who designed master cylinders higher up on the firewalls deserve some thanks. To think that I used to own Bendix stock.