Parking / Emergency Brake Electrical Connection - Question

[Cav73]

Hi, my first question on the forum. I am about to reconnect my parking brake switch and wire for the first time in probably 20 years. The photo shows the switch at the center and what I believe is the correct black wire and male connector, looking at parking brake assembly with switch from under the dash. A previous thread is helpful in identifying the correct wire, but does the male connector just insert into the hollow tube at the top of the switch? Or is there something I might be missing? I don't want to break anything while trying to jam the connector in.

Thanks!

 

[Ricks72Chlgr440]

Hi, my first question on the forum. I am about to reconnect my parking brake switch and wire for the first time in probably 20 years. The photo shows the switch at the center and what I believe is the correct black wire and male connector, looking at parking brake assembly with switch from under the dash. A previous thread is helpful in identifying the correct wire, but does the male connector just insert into the hollow tube at the top of the switch? Or is there something I might be missing? I don't want to break anything while trying to jam the connector in.

Thanks!

View attachment 141266

Yes, just plug that male wire into the connector. When the brake handle is pulled the socket makes contact & is grounded thus completing the circuit. It should activate the parking brake light on your dash.

 

[Cav73]

Great, thank you! Couldn't get to it today but should be able to tomorrow. Getting ready to reinstall the standard gauge cluster and switches after repairs and some refinishing.

 

[BriceRoad]

Thanks. This helps me out too!

 

[Cav73]

OK, the parking brake light connection went fine. Thank you! I hooked up the brake light switch at the same time and today installed the original standard gauge cluster that came with my first Challenger, a 72. I thoroughly cleaned the cluster housing, touched up a couple of gauge rivets that had corroded, and polished the clear gauge lens with plastic polish. I have one of those kits for polishing plastic headlights and the polish that came with it worked really well. The lens was really nasty so I hit it with 2000 and 2500 grit sanding pads first. I cleaned all switches and gauge connections as part of this task.

The plastic bezel housing is near complete. I had to fix a crack with JB Weld epoxy for plastic, touched up with black wrinkle paint. Tomorrow I will paint the gauge surrounds with a liquid chrome pen.

I have a complete rallye gauge cluster from a parts car I bought (and sold after taking key parts) but I anticipate it will take a year to restore it, so this panel will do for now. Steering column going back in next week.

Not sure if anyone lives in the Mid-Atlantic but the Carlisle PA mopar meet is next weekend, and I have a significant list of interior parts I still need - speedo cable just for starters.

Cheers!

 

[Ricks72Chlgr440]

OK, the parking brake light connection went fine. Thank you! I hooked up the brake light switch at the same time and today installed the original standard gauge cluster that came with my first Challenger, a 72. I thoroughly cleaned the cluster housing, touched up a couple of gauge rivets that had corroded, and polished the clear gauge lens with plastic polish. I have one of those kits for polishing plastic headlights and the polish that came with it worked really well. The lens was really nasty so I hit it with 2000 and 2500 grit sanding pads first. I cleaned all switches and gauge connections as part of this task.

The plastic bezel housing is near complete. I had to fix a crack with JB Weld epoxy for plastic, touched up with black wrinkle paint. Tomorrow I will paint the gauge surrounds with a liquid chrome pen.

I have a complete rallye gauge cluster from a parts car I bought (and sold after taking key parts) but I anticipate it will take a year to restore it, so this panel will do for now. Steering column going back in next week.

Not sure if anyone lives in the Mid-Atlantic but the Carlisle PA mopar meet is next weekend, and I have a significant list of interior parts I still need - speedo cable just for starters.

Cheers!

View attachment 141411

Well done! Looks great!