Retro wiring handbrake warning light to early van

[Cruz]

1983 early DG

I've changed my early handbrake lever for a late one and was wondering where would I take the feed for the warning switch? Mine didn't have one originally.

[Nij]

I assume (not looked) that there would be a bracket on the later handle/lever where you can fit a switch to - ill check in a few on mine

[Nij]

Sorry the image isn't great, but you can see the switch at the bottom left hand side of the switch as you look from the front.

[Cruz]

I've got the switch on the lever but it's how wire it up which I'm wondering about.

[1664]

a single cable from the -ve side of the handbrake warning lamp to the handbrake switch

[Cruz]

Where do I take the power for the switch from?

[1664]

Where do I take the power for the switch from?

You are effectively switching the -ve side not the +ve side. The 'power' is already at the warning lamp as it is connected to 12v +ve at one end the moment the ignition is turned on. All the lamp now needs to light up is for the other end of it to be connected to the vehicle earth (or -ve) to allow current to flow through it. If you run a single to your handbrake switch you are merely extending the other side of the lamp down to your handbrake switch. When the handbrake is applied, the switch is released allowing the contacts to close and complete the circuit allowing the current to flow and light the lamp. When the handbrake is 'off' it pushes against the switch opening the circuit and the lamp goes out. It works exactly the same as the van's interior courtesy lights with the switches on the door pillars - in fact the handbrake switch is exactly the same part as the door courtesy light switches.

Diagram on Page 12.40 of your Haynes Manual; K7 is the warning lamp and F9 is the handbrake switch

[Cruz]

I don't have a warning switch. I will be wiring that in too. But I get what you mean. Cheers

[billybigspud]

while your at it, stick one on your headlights as well.

[Cruz]

while your at it, stick one on your headlights as well.

Already got one

[1664]

When the handbrake is 'off', the switch is released allowing the contacts to close and complete the circuit allowing the current to flow and light the lamp. When the handbrake is applied it pushed against the switch opening the circuit and the lamp goes out.

Sorry folks, that's the wrong way round; it should be:

"When the handbrake is applied, the switch is released allowing the contacts to close and complete the circuit allowing the current to flow and light the lamp. When the handbrake is 'off' it pushes against the switch opening the circuit and the lamp goes out"

I have ammended my original post - sorry for the ar$e about faceness