C-1 Parking Brake Alarm

[Vette66AirCoupe]

I need some help diagnosing a problem with my parking brake warning light on my '60. The power comes directly from the junction box via a wire with a female connector that plugs right onto a male prong on the left side of the fuses. According to the Assembly Manual this is correct. The powered wire goes into a mechanical switch mounted on top of the emergency brake shaft. It exits that switch and goes to what is called a flasher assembly. It exits that assembly and goes to the bulb. I've established that there is power through the mechanical switch which is operating properly, that is, the power goes on and off on the exit side when I operate the switch. I have power at the entry side of the flasher assembly but nothing coming out. One thing that has me perplexed is that I can't figure out why the flasher assembly is even needed. When I tested the bulb, which is a special bulb just for the emegency brake warning, it started blinking on it's own after a brief warm up.

Two questions.

1. Where can I get this assembly #3737979?
2. If I can't find one, can I just simply bypass this flasher assembly or is there a downside? They must have put it there for something. :confused

 

[John Mcgraw]

The original bulb was not a flashing bulb. The flasher unit was mounted to the top of the driver's side kick panel with a special clip. The clip is almost as valuable as a working flasher! If you are not having your car judged, then just use the flashing bulb, it will work just fine. If judging is in your future, then you will probably want to find an original working flasher. Just tie the 2 wires going into the flasher together, and the bulb should work.


Regards, John McGraw

 

[vintagecorvette]

What you need is a tungstun flasher. I have seen dark brown ones and black ones. Other GM products used them, just keep an eye on ebay, they come up now and again. There is one up right now. I have nothing to do with this auction.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=6763&item=7974664114&rd=1

 

[Vette66AirCoupe]

Thanks for the help guys. You know what's really strange about this problem is that I had a regular non-flashing bulb in place until I had my instrument cluster restored. At that time I bought all new bulbs. I bought the set from one of the Corvette parts providers and it included the blinking bulb for the parking brake warning. The light used to come on and stay on steady prior to my restoration. So power was getting through the flasher assembly, but it was not making the bulb blink. When I took the old bulbs out I found that it was a straight bulb and said Ah Ha! With the new bulb it will blink! Well, something went wrong in the meantime as no current flows through the flasher anymore. Coincidence? I think not! Ghosts in the machine!:W John, your solution is the one for me as this car is not NCRS material. And by the way, that expensive clip you mentioned, it's long gone. Maybe it's fallen behind the trim panel and I'll find it someday and put it on e-bay!

Vintage, thanks for the e-bay link. That convinced me that I'm going to go with John's solution! I see you sold your 66 Air Coupe and kept your '57. Which one did you buy first? Did you own both together for some time? Why did you decide to sell? Just curious as it looks like we have similar taste in Vettes.

 

[vintagecorvette]

Vette66aircoupe,

I sold my 1957 and kept my 1966. It took me 2 years to finish I enjoyed it for a couple summers and now someone else can enjoy all my hard work. My 1966 is loaded. It has 14 options. I lucked out when I bought it. The owner knew nothing about the car. Bought is 10 years ago because he liked it. I got it because he never drove it. Right place at the right time. It now has goldlines and hubcaps on it. What it yours like? oWEN

 

[Vette66AirCoupe]

At 60 MPH nobody would be able to tell us apart!

http://www.corvetteactioncenter.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=6520

 

[vintagecorvette]

That is COOL.....Whitewalls and all. Mine makes a loud enough rumble with the SB, yours with the BB must be LOUD...