Foretravel Owners' Forum

Foretravel Motorhome Forums => Foretravel Tech Talk => Topic started by: J. D. Stevens on September 18, 2010, 09:45:16 pm

Title: Sticky Brake Light Switch
Post by: J. D. Stevens on September 18, 2010, 09:45:16 pm
On our 1997 U295, the brake light switch has gotten sticky. I have seen the brake lights illuminated after I park and exit the coach. A tap of the service brake pedal will allow the lights to extinguish. We notice the sticky lights sometimes when we try to resume cruise control. A tap or two on the service pedal allows the cruise control to resume properly. The problem is intermittent. I am assuming the cruise control releases when the power is supplied to the brake lights. By the way, such a problem might be a cause of flaky cruise control response for some other folk.

Is there something I can lubricate, or is there an part that is easy to replace?
Title: Re: Sticky Brake Light Switch
Post by: Dave Head on September 18, 2010, 10:24:22 pm
I haven't looked on the Unicoach, but on my Unihome the switches were under the coach and easy to access. I had to tap into the circuit to wire my exh brake on the 280.
 
Quote
On 9/18/2010 9:45 PM, J. D. Stevens wrote: 
On our 1997 U295, the brake light switch has gotten sticky. I have seen the brake lights illuminated after I park and exit the coach. A tap of the service brake pedal will allow the lights to extinguish. We notice the sticky lights sometimes when we try to resume cruise control. A tap or two on the service pedal allows the cruise control to resume properly. The problem is intermittent. I am assuming the cruise control releases when the power is supplied to the brake lights. By the way, such a problem might be a cause of flaky cruise control response for some other folk.
 
Is there something I can lubricate, or is there an part that is easy to replace?
 
Title: Re: Sticky Brake Light Switch
Post by: Neal Pillsbury on September 18, 2010, 10:48:16 pm
JD,
Can you check your schematics?
On mine there are two air actuated switches, mounted high in the streetside forward-most compartment, on the forward sheetmetal (just forward of the Gen Set Door release handle).
As far as I know, they can't be disassembled or rebuilt.
They seem to not be hermetically sealed and can therefore corrode internally.
I don't have a part number but I'd tap one or both the next time you experience the "hung-up" function.  If that seems to be the root cause, remove one and look for any ID markings on the switch.
Let us know.
Neal
Title: Re: Sticky Brake Light Switch
Post by: Barry & Cindy on September 18, 2010, 11:59:56 pm
Two air pressure switches are mounted near top of front metal panel in the forward street side compartment.  One pressure sw for front  and other for rear and both are wired together to turn on brake lights. You could disconnect electric wires from one to determine if lights stay on or go out.  You can temporarily run with just one switch as both front & rear air brakes work together.
 
Yes the turning on of brake lights kicks off cruise control and if they don't  work, you could be in a dangerous situation with engine throttle staying on during an emergency brake stop.
 
Retard also closes a relay that also turns brake lights on and a sticky relay, whatever that is, could also keep lights on.  Relay is located next to the two brake pressure switches.