Hello to all on this forum,
Being new to the Austin 7 this is probably a silly question, but I recently acquired a 37 Ruby, which hasn't seen much use over the past few years. All seems fine except that the brake lights appear to stay on all the time when the side/main lights are switched on. Does anyone know what could be causing this problem, as I'm still very much at the bottom of a steep learning curve! Thanks to anyone who peruses this and a very Happy Christmas to you all...
Annabel

Hi Annabel - Welcome!

4 questions in order to help

What happens if the side/head lights are off?

Does having the ignition on or off make any difference?

Has the car been converted to 12 volts?

Does the central pork pie light on the spare wheel cover work as a brake light?

Location: Home

Hi

If you look under the driver's side of the car about level with the front door pillar, there should be a box shaped switch about the size of a matchbox, attached to the chassis.

It may have a swinging lever, or a slider that moves in and out.

If the switch is stuck in the "on" position, the brake lights will stay on.


Simon

Location: On a hill in Wiltshire

Don't forget that when the handbrake is on the brake lights will be on when the ignition is 'on'. The handbrake works on all four wheels.

Location: Gard, France 30960. Used to be Languedoc-Roussillon but now it's Occitanie

There is supposed to be a system whereby the brake pedal doesn't drop when the handbrake is on. This often doesn't work.
It has been known for a wrong, single filament, bulb to be fitted in a stop/tailight bulb holder. The bulb can then connect the sidelight circuit to the brakelights so they both come on together. A side effect of this is the ignition circuit will be connected from the sidelights via the brakelights.
If this happens and the handbrake moves the footbrake with the sidelights are on, the engine keeps running when the ignition is switched off, powered from the sidelight circuit.

Hello,
And thank you so much for your prompt response. In answer to the four points you mention:

What happens if the side/head lights are off?
It seems to be happening regardless of whether the head and side lights are on or off.

Does having the ignition on or off make any difference?
They only work when I have the ignition switched on

Has the car been converted to 12 volts?
No the car is still on its original 6 volt system

Does the central pork pie light on the spare wheel cover work as a brake light?
Yes the pork pie light in the middle also works as a brake light

I will also need to check for the little matchbox type thingy underneath when I get home from work later, as I haven't checked that at all (didn't even know it was there!) so again, thanks so much for your help.
Annabel

It would seem to be the switch (The matchbox thingy) causing the problem.

Location: Still too far from Dublin for a decent pint of Guinness

It's many years (20?) since I looked at an Austin Seven with coupled brakes. I think the pull rod from the pedal to the cross shaft should stay put and slide through the hole in the end of the cross shaft lever. My memory may be playing tricks though!

I think that is so - the handbrake should not operate the brake light switch.

So maybe all is not as it should be at the driver's side end of the cross shaft.

A picture might help.

Simon

Location: On a hill in Wiltshire

On my RP the pedal brake rod is held onto the cross shaft lever with a spring and locknuts forward of the lever to keep tension on the adjusting wing nut at the rear. Just the same as on a motor cycle rear drum brake. As a result the rod cannot slide through. If it did the spring would not be doing its job and the wing nut would work loose and drop off. Thus when the handbrake is applied the brake rod moves forward with the lever hence pulling on the switch actuator.

Unless you're telling me that my car is set up wrong?

Location: Gard, France 30960. Used to be Languedoc-Roussillon but now it's Occitanie

No.

As usual, making it up as I go along.

I've done enough crawling underneath for one day, I will have a proper look tomorrow.

Now, I have to assemble a tractor for the grandchildren.

Bonne nuit.

Simon

Location: On a hill in Wiltshire

Location: Near M1 Motorway Jtn 28

For what it's worth, my '30 Swallow saloon did not originally have brake lights. The ones I fitted have a switch that is operated by the brake pedal. The switch itself came from an old Jaguar so I can kid myself it is in keeping!

Location: Derby

My brake lights were also switched on by the handbrake. but only with the ignition on. I assumed that this was normal and I couldn't see a way of adjusting the mechanism to separate the actions of foot and hand brakes on the rod that carries the spring-pull.
The good thing is that the original switch is of what I would describe as "muckle" construction with huge terminals inside a large casing and thus easy to service/repair. I'd be surprised if they ever break irreparably

Location: Ripon

What are brake lights!!
My RK appears to, be bereft of any such new-fangled trickery! All I have is a pair of 1 inch(ish) faceted round glowworms that also hope to shed some light on the number plate! As for trafficators......now't wrong wi' arms....!

I am making up a pair of detachable battery operated LED rear lights and am scratching my head about how to fit 6v LED indicators.
I fitted some motorbike flashers to my ZA Magnette to reinforce the (flashing bulb) trafficators, but apart from impenetrable & useless Chinese instructions, that was relatively easy with a 12v system.
This will not be new subject, so I will trawl the threads & see if I can find wisdom ...and a decent diagram!
Good luck Annabel and a Happy Christmas to all
D

Location: Stratford upon Avon

There is a simple wiring diagram at the bottom of this page:-

http://www.dynamoregulatorconversions.com/wiring-diagrams.php

Magnetic indicators are covered in this thread, starting at Post #9:-

http://hmvf.co.uk/forumvb/showthread.php?48211-Trailer-lighting-do-I-need-indicators-and-brake-lights

Location: Oxfordshire