Intermittent brake light

[sackerley]

Hi all. I'm hoping someone can help diagnose this before I take the car to a garage.

Ive just found out that the brake lights are not working correctly. When I first dab the brake pedal the light comes on but it's only for a second then goes off. No matter how hard I press the pedal the light stays out. It repeats this every time I touch the brake pedal.

Any ideas what could be causing this?

Thanks in advance.

 

[NickCWebb]

I'm guessing, as I don't know the details of the wiring diagram etc. but my thoughts would be a loose fuse or one that is perhaps failing, or a faulty relay. Perhaps a faulty bulb?
I'm sure there are many others with experience and knowledge on the forum who will be able to give a more definitive answer.

 

[Pieman7]

Take the wires of the brake light switch and bridge them together then get someone to see if they go out. if you have no friends to help out reverse up to a wall in the dark??

 

[andywill]

Hi Simon
Sounds to me like a faulty brake light switch, thats the first place I would start looking.
It's the same setup as a Boxster see link
http://www.pelicanparts.com/techarticles/Boxster_Tech/93-ELEC-Pedal_Switches/93-ELEC-Pedal_Switches.htm
Hope that's of some help.
Regards Andy

 

[sackerley]

Hi all, many thanks for the tips. I'll try the suggestions out and see how I get on. Wish me luck!

 

[sackerley]

Update...

i got a new brake switch and had a go at swapping out the old one. The old one came out easy enough. The new one refuses to twist into position. Looking at the old and new switch they appear identical. The old switch can go back in and out without any trouble at all.

Does anyone have any tips on how to get the new switch fitted!?

 

[Andyvvc]

Here you go: http://www.renntech.org/forums/topic/36051-brake-light-switch-replacement/ Some useful tips lower down the page about it. "When installing the switch for the first time, it is essential to press it vertically against the bearing surface. It will otherwise not be possible to lock the switch (90° turn), even if great force is exerted"

 

[sackerley]

Thanks for that Andy. I found that link to and it didn't really help.

in the end I had to lightly sand the notches on the switch. Tiny amounts, and eventually it clicked into place. Very frustrating and took all day!

happy to say that the lights are working perfectly now ??

 

[Andyvvc]

I have no idea how you managed to get the new part fitted! I tried the other day - aside from being very uncomfortable lying prostrate upside down across the drivers door sill, my hands are too big to get the clasps to release on the top-side of the sensor. In the end i had to reconnect the lower side and give up. Ironically, my ABS/PAS issue has now gone away lol! Must have been a bad connection on the sensor all along lol

 

[sackerley]

It wasn't easy getting to the Switch. It helped by taking out the heating duct. But I still ended up, upside down under the steering wheel!

Good to hear yours is sorted.