While working under the hood yesterday I managed to bump my vacuum warning switch and break it. Not surprising since it had been broken and repaired before. Whoever repaired it hit on a good solution, though. He replaced the broken off nipple with a MIG welding tip, which fit the hose and the hole in the switch body very nicely. It looks like a generic Tweco style tip (hard to tell exactly, he used an old burnt up one). The only flaw in the repair was that he used RTV to hold the tip in the hole, so a little bump was enough to knock it out. I put 'er back with JB Weld and let it cure overnight. The "brake" light went out when I released the parking brake, so I must have done something right.

 

Good tip, Faith. Yet another MOPAR electrical deamon kept at bay!
g

 

Where is the switch?

 

Behind the driver's side hood hinge. I bumped it while trying to seperate the bulkhead connector to clean a flaky back-up light connection. Ever had one of those days where everything you touch turns to dog crap?

 

I just replaced mine. The tip broke off clean in the hose so I went and priced one at Daimler Chyrsler. It came to 99 Candian for the sensor, a new mounting bracket and a new hose. For the time being I just bypassed that hose by using an allen key and blocking it off(all I had at the time ). It has the same effect as having a sensor there but the lights just dont go out. BTW, running that hose open gives you NO brake assist... Talk about your HARD pedal!

 

my vacuum pump failed and that switch didnt work, the stiff pedal was a better indicator than any light especially coming off the freeway... then i broke it more trying to remove the hose to get a vacuum reading. i dont see any reason to replace it unless someone knows where to get one at a reasonable price, since the diaphram, switch or both are gone in mine..

 

Best price I found was nearly $70. It ought to be chrome for that price.

 

Good tip, Thanks and yes I've had plenty of those days

Michael

 

Does anyone know how to check the Vacuum warning switch to see if it is good? My break light and abs light stays on. I have un hooked the abs controller and the abs light goes off but the break light stays on. Everything I have checked looks good so I’m thinking it maybe this switch. I would like to check it first before spending the money on a new one. Anyone know how to check it?

 

As far as I can tell- dark blue is ground, white/black goes to the lamp, and black/white goes to power. I don't understand why there is power to the switch, according to the wiring diagram if you ground the white/black wire the lamp will light. The only thing I can think of is that the book says that if you lose vacuum for more than 10 seconds, the light will light - so maybe there are some electronics involved?