Packard Forum Index » Post-War (1946-54)

Silicone brake fluid is a purple color. I think it's an outside chance that is what you have but it wouldn't hurt to check.
If you do have silicone and want to put in Dot3 or Dot4, be aware that just blowing or draining out the old fluid is not sufficient. You must flush it completely with alcohol and disassemble the master and wheel cylinders and wash them thoroughly with alcohol and also push alcohol thru the steel brake lines. This will take some time and diligence, but must be done thoroughly.

Today i flushed the brake lines, i dipped my finger into the brakefluid resevoir and found some peices of jelly sticking to my finger, thats no good, maybe they switched from dot 5 to dot 4 without cleaning the system first.
well i cleaned it fully with alcohol, and filled it up with fresh dot 4, now the brakes work perfectly, except the brakelight, its prolly stuffed with that jelly.. i`m still waiting for that switch to arrive. but i`m glad the brakes dont feel like a rock anymore.

Is it Toast. Thanks for the posts about this brake switch.
Didn't realize you can get them at NAPA. Can anyone tell me if these switches can take 12 volts ? I converted my 1950 over and now the brake lights don't work. Interestingly enough .. The switch is hot .. when I hit the brakes it completes 12v connection but the brake lights don't come one. If I short the switch the lights come on.

Thanks
OTG

Hi otgdy, well the switch have to work with 12v also, my clipper is also converted to 12v, the switch doesnt contain any electrical parts, just brass contacts. Something could block the hole of the switch, ( that`s what my problem was) try to take it out and clean the switch with alcohol and blow the hole dry with some air pressure, when it still doesnt work, a renewal of the switch will do the job.

It's a hydraulic/mechanical switch, so it doesn't really care about voltage in the typically automotive ranges (6v/12v). It's items like light bulbs, motors, and items with electronic components (capacitors, resistors, coils, etc) that are voltage sensitive.

Hmmm. How do you explain the tests?
Swith works Tail lights don't
Hotwire switch tail lights work ?

OTG

Assume you mean just connecting the wires together at the switch when you say hotwire. If so, probably a high enough resistance in the switch that just can't pass enough current for the lights.

Yes your right about the hot wire. The brakes were working fine until I changed the battery (to 12V) lights etc. I am going to replace the switch again (was new). Wondering if I should put a relay around the switch and an inline resistor to limit the current.

OTG

Wondering if I should put a relay around the switch and an inline resistor to limit the current.

No reason to, the same switches were originally used in both 6-volt and 12-volt cars. The same switch Packard used up thru 1954 (Echlin SL-134) was used for Ford products thru 1965 at least.

Well the new switch did the trick. Interesting how the old switch checked out the way it did. Guess it was excessive resistance after all. Thanks for the NAPA part number. Got a great deal and got to install it last night. Thanks
OTG