Mk1 Brake Light Problem

[Bigjeeze]

I need sme help please.

 

My wife's MK1 has lost it's brake lights. I checked the bulbs - all OK - All the other lights, wiper etc work so probably not wiring broken. I took off the brake light switch - as far as I can tell it is OK - When testing using a meter it turns off when the plunger is released as I think it should. I tried checking for voltage at the switch connector and there appears to be none.

 

I checked the fuse - it's OK. I am at a loss to know where next. Any ideas please?

 

 

BJ

[chrispb123456]

I need sme help please.

 

My wife's MK1 has lost it's brake lights. I checked the bulbs - all OK - All the other lights, wiper etc work so probably not wiring broken. I took off the brake light switch - as far as I can tell it is OK - When testing using a meter it turns off when the plunger is released as I think it should. I tried checking for voltage at the switch connector and there appears to be none.

 

I checked the fuse - it's OK. I am at a loss to know where next. Any ideas please?

 

 

BJ

Hi BJ

 

Long shot here and I know and i'll probably be wrong but do you not have 2 switches on your brake pedal?

[vikingsraven]

try having a look where the jack is kept, theres a connector in there, it may have come apart. Edited November 5, 2010 by vikingsraven

[cell]

Hi... My brake pedal switch fails on a regular basis bout every 6 months..

 

It usually starts with the brake lights showing on the car display on the dash. I can make the switch work by reaching under the dash & pushing the arm up & down a few times to free it up.. it seems to stick a little bit when using the pedal for repetative short braking .. then it'll pack up completely a couple of weeks later.

 

I've found there are 2 different designs after taking them apart.. one works by pushing the contacts together when u use the pedal, the other is spring loaded so it releases the contacts.

 

The one that pushes the contacts together usually melts one of the terminals causing the switch to fail, This one cant be fixed as it's impossible to repair the contact tab.

 

The other kind doesnt melt, but the grease inside melts & stops the switch making contact properly, This one can be cleaned & used again. I ended up fitting a small 12volt led into the raised brake light housing so I can see clearly when the lights are working.

 

Not sure if this is what your problem is but its the cheapest place to start, usually around

[gregers]

BIG,for the sake of 9 quid m8,just get a new switch.that way you will know thats 1 less problem.vw is possible the best/heapest place.

[Bigjeeze]

BIG,for the sake of 9 quid m8,just get a new switch.that way you will know thats 1 less problem.vw is possible the best/heapest place.

 

I did Gregers ! but it turned out to be the wrong one. Also when I tested it the switch appears to work bu there isn't any power to the switch.

 

Chris - I can only see one switch but I'll double check.

 

 

Cheers

 

 

 

BJ

[bingo nightly]

Hi... My brake pedal switch fails on a regular basis bout every 6 months..

 

It usually starts with the brake lights showing on the car display on the dash. I can make the switch work by reaching under the dash & pushing the arm up & down a few times to free it up.. it seems to stick a little bit when using the pedal for repetative short braking .. then it'll pack up completely a couple of weeks later.

 

I've found there are 2 different designs after taking them apart.. one works by pushing the contacts together when u use the pedal, the other is spring loaded so it releases the contacts.

 

The one that pushes the contacts together usually melts one of the terminals causing the switch to fail, This one cant be fixed as it's impossible to repair the contact tab.

 

The other kind doesnt melt, but the grease inside melts & stops the switch making contact properly, This one can be cleaned & used again. I ended up fitting a small 12volt led into the raised brake light housing so I can see clearly when the lights are working.

 

Not sure if this is what your problem is but its the cheapest place to start, usually around

[Bigjeeze]

I need sme help please.

 

My wife's MK1 has lost it's brake lights. I checked the bulbs - all OK - All the other lights, wiper etc work so probably not wiring broken. I took off the brake light switch - as far as I can tell it is OK - When testing using a meter it turns off when the plunger is released as I think it should. I tried checking for voltage at the switch connector and there appears to be none.

 

I checked the fuse - it's OK. I am at a loss to know where next. Any ideas please?

 

 

BJ

Hi BJ

 

Long shot here and I know and i'll probably be wrong but do you not have 2 switches on your brake pedal?

 

 

Hi Chris

 

You were right - there are two switches there - one blue which I saw and tested the other black - I replaced this with a new one - problem solved.

 

Thanks for the advice.

 

BJ