Sticky brake light switch
1916baja - November 8th, 2013 at 04:04 PM
My brake lights are stuck on in the type 3, I know it's the switch coz if you have the pedal a good stomp and release they'd turn off...
Anyone got a trick to un sticky it??
vlad01 - November 8th, 2013 at 06:10 PM
its a pressure switch. The metal diaphragm in it is likely leaking and filling it internally or a similar problem.
replacing it is the only option if you don't want to do any mods.
You can however fit a regular mechanical brake light switch from another car. don't use a ford one though. And set it up on the pedal.
Those type 3 brake pressure switches are hard to get, the repro ones suck.
OZ Towdster - November 8th, 2013 at 06:27 PM
Yea, buy another one , and not a shit brazilian one .
Vlad , what are you on about , as arn't type 3 switches just the same as any other vw brake pressure switch
1916baja - November 8th, 2013 at 07:03 PM
Dang... I really wanted to drive it this weekend 
oh well.
ian.mezz - November 8th, 2013 at 07:27 PM
they may be the same as the beetle, you could swap it over.
grumble - November 8th, 2013 at 07:38 PM
| Quote: |
Originally
posted by OZ Towdster
Yea, buy another one , and not a shit brazilian one .
Vlad , what are you on about , as arn't type 3 switches just the same as any other vw brake pressure switch
|
Most of the hydraulic switches are the same,it is most likely choked with gunk due to lack of brake fluid changes.Don't bugger around fitting
electric switches,fit a new unit and change the fluid.
vlad01 - November 8th, 2013 at 11:13 PM
| Quote: |
Originally
posted by OZ Towdster
Yea, buy another one , and not a shit brazilian one .
Vlad , what are you on about , as arn't type 3 switches just the same as any other vw brake pressure switch
|
no, pretty certain type 3 were the only to have 3 prong switch and duel switch setup, yes? 2 switches, one 3 prong, one 2 prong
i only seen single switch with 2 prong on other models other than type 3.
vlad01 - November 8th, 2013 at 11:21 PM
| Quote: |
Originally
posted by grumble
| Quote: | Originally
posted by OZ Towdster
Yea, buy another one , and not a shit brazilian one .
Vlad , what are you on about , as arn't type 3 switches just the same as any other vw brake pressure switch
|
Most of the hydraulic switches are the same,it is most likely choked with gunk due to lack of brake fluid changes.Don't bugger around fitting
electric switches,fit a new unit and change the fluid.
|
thats the problem, those new units don't last, some don't work out of the box either.
its a pretty well know problem amongst the type 3 owners over on the samba. few on them fitted mechanical switches and never looked back. they are
ultra reliable. which is a hit and miss with the repro oem switch.
if you can get the NOS 3 prong you'll be right though. good luck on that.
vlad01 - November 8th, 2013 at 11:26 PM
sorry 2x 3 prong switches.
yep, even more fun finding originals 
grumble - November 9th, 2013 at 06:42 AM
| Quote: |
Originally
posted by vlad01
| Quote: | Originally
posted by grumble
| Quote: | Originally
posted by OZ Towdster
Yea, buy another one , and not a shit brazilian one .
Vlad , what are you on about , as arn't type 3 switches just the same as any other vw brake pressure switch
|
Most of the hydraulic switches are the same,it is most likely choked with gunk due to lack of brake fluid changes.Don't bugger around fitting
electric switches,fit a new unit and change the fluid.
|
thats the problem, those new units don't last, some don't work out of the box either.
its a pretty well know problem amongst the type 3 owners over on the samba. few on them fitted mechanical switches and never looked back. they are
ultra reliable. which is a hit and miss with the repro oem switch.
Why make life harder than necessary? The kombis, T3's and Golfs use the 3 terminal switch,the most common cause of switches failing is the gunk in
the brake master cylinder. If you can't get a switch pm me and i will get one to you. Cheers Les luck on that.
|
vlad01 - November 9th, 2013 at 10:26 PM
I am not talking about the old switch failing. i am merely warning that the replacements available are junk.
just look up the amount of people complaining about the replacement switches and how hard it is to find good ones. Some people changed them 5-6 times
a year, got sick of it and fitted mechanical switches instead, end of story.
replacing switches all the time and forever tinkering with aftermarket junk and then fitting a reliable proven OEM mechanical switch from another car
like all cars have now anyway, that mind you will most likely outlast the car and some owners. How is that making life harder?
do you get what i mean?
grumble - November 10th, 2013 at 12:31 PM
| Quote: |
Originally
posted by vlad01
I am not talking about the old switch failing. i am merely warning that the replacements available are junk.
just look up the amount of people complaining about the replacement switches and how hard it is to find good ones. Some people changed them 5-6 times
a year, got sick of it and fitted mechanical switches instead, end of story.
replacing switches all the time and forever tinkering with aftermarket junk and then fitting a reliable proven OEM mechanical switch from another car
like all cars have now anyway, that mind you will most likely outlast the car and some owners. How is that making life harder?
do you get what i mean?
|
Vlad I know what you mean in relation to parts quality. In the 20 odd years that I had my own workshop i purchased good quality parts from a few
selected suppliers and had 2 failures that I am aware of,both of these switches were clogged with gunk from in the master cylinder,the master
cylinders and brake systems were flushed or if there was a weep from the secondary cup replaced with no repeated problem. The secret is maintenance
and as you say good quality replacement parts not good price parts.Cheers Les
vlad01 - November 11th, 2013 at 08:17 AM
but where do you find quality ones now? are they even made anymore?
If you know were to get them please let us know as it would help us people out a lot.
cheers.
grumble - November 11th, 2013 at 06:25 PM
Vlad I have one 3 pin switch left which i purchased from a VW dealership and 1 Olympic 3 pin switch which is aftermarket,if interested please PM .
Cheers Les
AA003 - November 12th, 2013 at 07:33 AM
Has anyone thought of a VW dealer?
68AutoBug - November 12th, 2013 at 07:58 AM
i thought that only late beetles in the USA had the 3 terminal brake switches and a button on the dash to test them..
My German made 68 beetle has two two terminal brake switches... still working... brake fluid changed every couple of years.. did it last year when
I replaced the brake pads..
If Your fluid hasn't been changed in 10+ years check out the colour of it... if black is a colour... Brake fluid absorbs moisture
and the moisture [water] eats at any steel, like in master cylinders and wheel cylinders ...
LEE
| Quote: |
Originally
posted by vlad01
| Quote: | Originally
posted by OZ Towdster
Yea, buy another one , and not a shit brazilian one .
Vlad , what are you on about , as arn't type 3 switches just the same as any other vw brake pressure switch
|
no, pretty certain type 3 were the only to have 3 prong switch and duel switch setup, yes? 2 switches, one 3 prong, one 2 prong
i only seen single switch with 2 prong on other models other than type 3.
|
AA003 - November 12th, 2013 at 08:46 AM
The 3 pin is for the brake warning light as well as the brake lights.
You can use a 2 or 3 pin to get your brake lights working.
Anything built after around '73 had the 3 pin for the brake warning. (ADR)
vlad01 - November 12th, 2013 at 12:30 PM
| Quote: |
Originally
posted by AA003
The 3 pin is for the brake warning light as well as the brake lights.
You can use a 2 or 3 pin to get your brake lights working.
Anything built after around '73 had the 3 pin for the brake warning. (ADR)
|
yes, funny that. do any of the Aussie cars have a warning light that have standard 3 terminal switch?
I see all the yanky cars have a warning light on the dash, it was the first I ever saw a warning light.
so the 3rd terminal goes to nowhere?
AA003 - November 12th, 2013 at 12:47 PM
| Quote: |
Originally
posted by vlad01
yes, funny that. do any of the Aussie cars have a warning light that have standard 3 terminal switch?
I see all the yanky cars have a warning light on the dash, it was the first I ever saw a warning light.
so the 3rd terminal goes to nowhere?
|
All Australian VWs built after around '73 had the 3 pin for the brake warning. (ADR)
They have 2 switches. One for each brake circuit. They are interconnected and when one is off and one is on it lights the brake warning light on the
dash. My '74 Kombi had it and all of my Golfs.
grumble - November 12th, 2013 at 06:36 PM
| Quote: |
Originally
posted by AA003
Has anyone thought of a VW dealer?
|
No it is easier to buy cheapies and then whinge about the quality.
vlad01 - November 13th, 2013 at 11:52 AM
| Quote: |
Originally
posted by AA003
| Quote: | Originally
posted by vlad01
yes, funny that. do any of the Aussie cars have a warning light that have standard 3 terminal switch?
I see all the yanky cars have a warning light on the dash, it was the first I ever saw a warning light.
so the 3rd terminal goes to nowhere?
|
All Australian VWs built after around '73 had the 3 pin for the brake warning. (ADR)
They have 2 switches. One for each brake circuit. They are interconnected and when one is off and one is on it lights the brake warning light on the
dash. My '74 Kombi had it and all of my Golfs.
|
Guess type 3s at least never got the warning light. The spot in the dash always has a delete plug, no provision for a warning light in the wiring
harness under the dash. They all have the 3 pin and plugs with wires under the car though.
I had 70,71,72 and 73 type 3 none had warning lights but all had the 3 pin with wiring under the car. Unless the 3 pin plug is only fitted with 2
terminals and one left blank?
I will have to investigate.
Anyone here have a type 3 with warning light? I am yet to see one other than yanky type 3.
AA003 - November 13th, 2013 at 11:59 AM
It would probably be right at the end of production, if at all.
vlad01 - November 13th, 2013 at 12:37 PM
whats weird though, in the US they all had the warning light from 68ish? even the operator manual shows and points out the light. I have never seen
an aussie car with it ever.
Thats why I thought it was a yanky only thing.
68 owners manual.
