Parking Brake Indicator Switch

[hberdan]

The little indicator switch is broken on my parking brake--The plunger moves up and down, with assistance from me, and the dash indicator light comes on when the plunger is up, as it should--but it won't return to battery after closing, in other words, it won't reset. Looks like the small case is broken, and the wire terminal falls right off.
Maybe I can glue it back together, anyone ever try this? I'm too cheap to spend $45 on a new switch.

[Petros]

do not spend $45, go to a wrecking yard. these switches seldom fail. Some times beverages might get spilled on them and they get sticky. Try spraying some carb cleaner and than wd40 (or equvalent) on the switch while you are pushing it in and out. That usually fixes it. If not, I might have one kicking around in a box somewhere you can have for mailing cost, or I can bring it to you in CO when I drive through in late Dec on my way to TX. For now you might just unplug the wires.

[hberdan]

Fixed it! I unscrewed the switch from the parking brake lever support, and found that it had come apart--the base of the switch separated from the housing, allowing the plunger and spring to almost fall out. Everything is plastic except the spring and the electrical connector--anyway, I degreased all the parts with some denatured alcohol, and reassembled it, using epoxy to reattach the base. After reinstallation, it works just great. Another one of life's little problems, solved.
Given the fact that this switch assembly is mostly plastic, I didn't use WD 40 or any other petroleum lube on it.

Btw, was up skiing this morning in perfect powder conditions, and met another Tercel owner in the ski area parking lot. He owns a minty minty minty 1986 SR5 with less than 100,000 miles. Sweet.

[deejay1272]

He owns a minty minty minty 1986 SR5 with less than 100,000 miles. Sweet.

You should encourage him to hop on the forum and brag about his minty machine!