Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.
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PMFORD
Joined: 14 Sep 2018 Posts: 3
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Posted: Fri Sep 14, 2018 3:55 pm Post subject: New Owner Ford Prefect E493A |
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Hi everyone,
Just got my first Ford Prefect model E493A. I have restored a modern classic over the last 7 years, so Looking forward to giving the Ford a good clean up. Got to sort a few electrical bits out and replace a few rubber seals. Floor condition is good in the boot and under the rear seats,so just cleaning that up and protecting it at the moment. I have noticed that when the handbrake is applied the brake lights come on. I have been told that this should not happen. Has anyone come across this before or have any idea why it would have been done? The foot brake lights work as normal.
Best Ian. |
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Rootes75
Joined: 30 Apr 2013 Posts: 3788 Location: The Somerset Levels
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Posted: Fri Sep 14, 2018 4:27 pm Post subject: |
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Welcome to the forum, plenty of good advice to be found on here from a lot of like minded people. _________________ Various Rootes Vehicles. |
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alastairq
Joined: 14 Oct 2016 Posts: 1950 Location: East Yorkshire
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Posted: Fri Sep 14, 2018 5:16 pm Post subject: |
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Hi.....2 possibilities I can think of.
[1]...thehandbrake should only apply the rear brakes on these Fords....There is a device in the system called a 'compression tube''
...it is item #2569 in the above diagram...courtesy of https://www.smallfordspares.co.uk/plates/4-braking-system-3759
This compression tube may be incorrectly adjusted..or, simply, seized solid [or made to be so]...such that, when the handbrake is applied, both rear & front wheels are locked. [earlier small Fordshandbrakes did just this..locked all 4 wheels]....thus, if the front brakes are applied [by the handbrake, ] then the brake lights will light up.
Adjustment is described in the Ford Anglia, Prefect & Popular workshop manual,available from the Ford Sidevalve Owners Club...or SmallFordSpares.
[2]...A previous owner may have re-sited the brake light switch [or replaced it altogether by another sort of switch entirely.] If that switch is operated by the rear brake cables, or linkages, then when the handbrake is applied, the brake lights will also come on.
The handbrake is not on a ''separate circuit' like modern [and other old] cars....the handbrake simply pulls on the rear brake cable...locking it.
Solutions? Well, work out where the brake light switch actually is. It should be on the chassis, just in front of the pedals, underneath...attached by a spring. if it isn't there, find out where it is, and whether it's attached to the rear brake cable [or linkages]
If not prepared to delve too deeply, then simply fit a battery isolator switch somewhere handy....and turn off the electrics when parking up? [Or, simply leave the car in gear, with the handbrake off?....Carrying a wheel chock might prove handy, too?] _________________ Dellow Mk2, 1951 built, reg 1952.
Fiat 126 BIS
Cannon special [1996 registered. Built in 1950's]
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Ford Pop chassis, Ashley 1172 bodyshell, in pieces. |
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Rick Site Admin
Joined: 27 Apr 2005 Posts: 22429 Location: UK
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Paul fairall
Joined: 17 Nov 2016 Posts: 429 Location: North west Kent
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Posted: Fri Sep 14, 2018 8:53 pm Post subject: |
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The brake lights should only work with the ignition on and the op had the car running with the handbrake applied when he noted the brake lights were on. _________________ 1957 ford popular |
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alastairq
Joined: 14 Oct 2016 Posts: 1950 Location: East Yorkshire
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Posted: Fri Sep 14, 2018 9:20 pm Post subject: |
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Paul fairall wrote: | The brake lights should only work with the ignition on and the op had the car running with the handbrake applied when he noted the brake lights were on. |
Yes, that should be so......but the OP says he noted the brake lights came on when the handbrake was applied. This shouldn't happen on the Ford system.
Which says to me there may be an issue with the linkage between front & rear brakes.....or the brake light switch has been changed/moved. _________________ Dellow Mk2, 1951 built, reg 1952.
Fiat 126 BIS
Cannon special [1996 registered. Built in 1950's]
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Ford Pop chassis, Ashley 1172 bodyshell, in pieces. |
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PMFORD
Joined: 14 Sep 2018 Posts: 3
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Posted: Sat Sep 15, 2018 9:43 am Post subject: |
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Thank you everyone. Thanks alastairq for a in detail summery of possible causes. I will check this out over the coming weeks and let you all know what I find. I will get a flicker account set up soon and post some images. Plenty to do on the car over the winter months.
Ian. |
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Paul fairall
Joined: 17 Nov 2016 Posts: 429 Location: North west Kent
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Posted: Sat Sep 15, 2018 9:53 am Post subject: |
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alastairq wrote: | Paul fairall wrote: | The brake lights should only work with the ignition on and the op had the car running with the handbrake applied when he noted the brake lights were on. |
Yes, that should be so......but the OP says he noted the brake lights came on when the handbrake was applied. This shouldn't happen on the Ford system.
Which says to me there may be an issue with the linkage between front & rear brakes.....or the brake light switch has been changed/moved. |
Yes I'm aware of that, just that someone posted about disconnecting the power to the switch, which wouldn't be necessary if it was on the ignition circuit. I reckon you are right about the a linkage problem _________________ 1957 ford popular |
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PMFORD
Joined: 14 Sep 2018 Posts: 3
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Penguin45
Joined: 28 Jul 2014 Posts: 381 Location: Padiham
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