YACT: Winter is coming, my car electrical parts are going bogus.

[pillage2001]

It dropped to below freezing today and the brake lights won't go off even after I release it. It happened the other day but as the day went warmer, the light just went off. It's as if that some part of it got frozen or something. Besides that, when it gets too cold, the speedometer will not move until when the car properly warms up.

Is there anything I can do to prevent all this??? It just annoys me to drive around with the brake light on.

Car is a 97 Galant. 😀

 

[T2T III]

It just sounds like a simple switch needs to be replaced. This switch is located under the dash and connects to the arm for the brake pedal. This is just a part of regular car maintenance.

If you are good with tools, the part should be less than $20.

 

[pillage2001]

Originally posted by: Tiles2Tech
It just sounds like a simple switch needs to be replaced. This switch is located under the dash and connects to the arm for the brake pedal. This is just a part of regular car maintenance.

If you are good with tools, the part should be less than $20.

I will have to look up on that. What about the speedometer part???? It only stops responding when it gets too cold.

 

[SammyBoy]

get in the car, warm it up sufficiently, and head south for the winter.

 

[pillage2001]

Originally posted by: SammyBoy
get in the car, warm it up sufficiently, and head south for the winter.

Certainly would love to but financial situations prohibit it as of now. 😀

 

[Eli]

Hmmm.

That's bizzare. Usually electronics work better cold, eh?

Sorry I don't really have much to add... I don't know much cabin-electronics specifics, especially for your particular car.

I'd suggest taking it to an electrical systems specialist while having the problem, and see if they can figure it out.

Electrical gremlins are the worst..........

 

[Evadman]

Both of these problems are likely lubrication related. There is a switch at the top of the brake pedal that signals the brake lights to turn off and on. This switch is sticking because of the cold. Lube it with some penetrating oil. Same goes for the speedometer. The cable needs lube.

The speedometer cable could also be loose. As it warms up, the cable gets longer, and engages with the mechanism that spins it. check the connection at the trans & dash Lube while you check it.

 

[Eli]

Originally posted by: Evadman
Both of these problems are likely lubrication related. There is a switch at the top of the brake pedal that signals the brake lights to turn off and on. This switch is sticking because of the cold. Lube it with some penetrating oil. Same goes for the speedometer. The cable needs lube.

The speedometer cable could also be loose. As it warms up, the cable gets longer, and engages with the mechanism that spins it. check the connection at the trans & dash Lube while you check it.

I was going to say something along those lines, like maybe a greased switch is sticking.. but I wasn't really sure if that would make sense, heh.

I assumed that his speedometer was electronically sensed, not via a cable.. so I didn't think about lubricating it.

But I agree, these symtoms do sound lubrication related.. just not something you usually think of when you hear "electronics". 😉

 

[NeoPTLD]

Originally posted by: Evadman
Both of these problems are likely lubrication related. There is a switch at the top of the brake pedal that signals the brake lights to turn off and on. This switch is sticking because of the cold. Lube it with some penetrating oil. Same goes for the speedometer. The cable needs lube.

The speedometer cable could also be loose. As it warms up, the cable gets longer, and engages with the mechanism that spins it. check the connection at the trans & dash Lube while you check it.

I really doubt a 1997 Mitsubishi uses direct mechanical linkage for its speedometer.

 

[Evadman]

Originally posted by: NeoPTLD
I really doubt a 1997 Mitsubishi uses direct mechanical linkage for its speedometer.

I do too. I did not see the car make. I am blind. I need to go to sleep and stop posting on AT the day I get home from Vegas.