LATE BRAKING

[Alan_Armstrong]

Have had several complaints/advises, depending on who I speak to, with regard to the non appearance of my brakes lights when braking!

I have been able to prove that the brake lights work ok, but are simply coming on late!

My Haynes manual waffles on a bit, but eventually points you in the direction that on the carrera the adjustable switch is done away with, and the lights are actuated by hydraulic pressure on the brake master cylinder. It is suggested to bleed the brake system to rectify the problem....can anyone confirm this please?

The fluid was changed a couple of years ago, and the brakes feel fine.

 

[Alan_Armstrong]

Update....

On last service, had the brake fluid changed (therefore system bled through) in order to rectify the problem......but still the brake lights are late in putting in an appearance.

Phoned OPC today to order a replacement switch/sensor, but parts department advise me that there are 2 sensors/switches fitted (not different types but 2 in number), and I have only been able to locate 1!!!..

Any ideas out there please...as I had no replies to previous post..cant believe I'm the first to have this problem![]

 

[3.2_fordy]

Alan
Have checked in the Bentley Manual and there are two switches both on the master cylinder it shows a photo of them, Without checking on my car thay look to be 2"-3" apart working in tandem
Regards Graham Ford

 

[Guest]

Hi Alan,

I'm relieved that someone else has the same 'problem' as I do. A few days ago I noticed the same thing you've described, and up till then I'd just assumed that the lights were coming on but, being so low down, that I'd simply never noticed them coming on. It was only when already stopped in traffic at night, with foot down already hard on the brake pedal that I happened to press the pedal down just a centimetre or so further and suddenly saw the red glow reflected off the front of the vehicle behind me. A slight release and off they went.

I tried it out again when I got home and I have to push pretty hard down on the brakes before the red light comes on. It's a tad worrying as other drivers aren't likely to realise that I'm braking, probably most of the time - the point at which the lights come on is almost at the full extension of the brake pedal, so I'd have to brake so hard the car would come to an emergency stop!!

So that's you, me and who else with this problem? This is one issue I need to get fixed asap.

John

 

[Guest]

Hi there John and Alan,

Just found your posts from wee while back as i have exactly the same problem which was pointed out to me by the police at 2am last night. After checking the fuse and bulbs i was at a loss when the missus was pushing the brake pedal down but when i had a go the lights came on!!! So the brake lights do not work until you push hard on the brakes.
Did you guys eventually sort the problem out???

 

[Alan_Armstrong]

Only last week!!

On the 3.2 carrera's, the switch is in fact a hydraulic sensor, located on the master cylinder, and there are two (as a car has twin hyraulic circuits). You need to look at these
sensors to chack if they have a 3 or 2 wire connector, in order to buy the right ones!

Cost was about £20 for both, but when replacing them you need to have relevant brake fluid to top up/rebleed the brakes.

I had the work carried out at my local specialist, who agreed to charge me for an hours labour cost...he did it while I waited.

Hopefully all OK now[]