Brake Light Switch - Changed Again

[tim-spam]

It appears that my Alhambra's brake light switch may be on the way out again less than a year after it was replaced - I will obviously be trying to get a free replacement.

 

However, after doing a little digging, it appears that many VAG Group cars made between 2001 and 2005'ish are being recalled to have a re-designed switch fitted. As has been previously discussed on this forum, this part is a potentially safety related item, particularly on automatics.

 

The one on my car is black and can be set after twisting into position. There is apparently a later design which must be set before twisting into position, and another (even later?) design which is purple in colour.

 

The one which is now being fitted in the US is blue and white and is supposed to be of a superior design. Has anyone else heard of this, or whether a recall in the UK and Europe is likely?

Edited March 19, 2007 by tim-spam

[Dave-G]

Hi Tim, during some recent bother with mine I checked the switch - Yup it's purple.

[buford_t_justice]

Mine was replaced with a purple one a few months back. Original one was black.

 

Not heard anything about a recall but the supplying dealer was well aware of the issue.

[tim-spam]

Well, I've just replaced mine again, and guess what - the switch has been redesigned yet again. They are now a turquoise colour with a white contact tip, and set themselves as they are twisted into position (with a rather nasty 'plastic breaking' sort of click). The one I've just replaced had to be set after fitting, but needed one of the tags filing before it would fit - the new one just fitted with no need to depress the brake pedal. So, I wonder how long this one will last...

[chezzy1955]

I've had to change mine twice, and both times I've had to cut the plunger back a little bit to make it operate properly.

[chezzy1955]

Should of mentioned my switch was the black one.

[El Dingo]

Curious - I've never changed mine, but I just checked and it's sort of purple/violet.

VAG seem to have a policy of 'don't change it unless enough people complain'. In the US, product liability and the sheer size of the market mean that this kind of failure is treated rather more seriously than in the UK.