hey again -
i wrote a post about this a couple of weeks ago and now i cant find it.........

re:my brake lights only working when i push down really really hard on the break pedal

assume there is nothing wrong with the bulbs or fuses or anything as they do WORK, only you have to SLAM the brakes.......

its not so safe.....am dreading the day someone ends up half up the arse of the type 3.....

someone talked about it perhaps being something to do with a clynder near the pedal......uh???? i cant remember what it was, or how to fix it............
can someone please help?

thanks x 1 million
thorun

ps - can i not spell at all??????? break=something that can be broken........sheesh....sorry for angst to those who have spelling obsessions.....i know...i really cant spell can i?

[Edited on 21-6-2004 by lil dub]

There are one or two switches (depending on year) screwed into the master cylinder which are activated when the pressure reaches a certain preset level. If your brakes are working well ie the car stops well and there are no leaks, then it is most likely that one or both of these pressure switches is dodgy. If this is the case they will have to be replaced as they cannot be repaired.

Keep in mind that even with perfect brakes, and perfect pressure switches the brake lights come on much later in the pedal stroke then they do in a modern car. I find that the pedal has to be depressed about half way before the lights come on and my braking systems was rebuilt less than six months ago.

Yup sounds like the switch in the master cylinder. I had the same problem on my split and its a really easy 5 minute fix. You just unscrew the old one and screw in the new

ahhhhh.
thank you thank you.
soooo..... my brakes seem to be working fine.......so i guess the switches you talk of are dodgy yeah??
i think that must be it.... i regularly check my brake lights by testing them when i am in the garage and stuff - to see the reflection of the lights on the wall (make sense?) and yeah i know what you mean about the delay on these older cars --- but it is definately a case of them not coming on at all unless i press down with all my might so the pedal is depressed right down.
so i will investigate these switches you speak of..... so i can't fix them - must replace???
are they easy to get a hold of? mick motors would have them no?

thanks again, thorun

(and again, sorry about my frustrating spelling....)

It's not eorth trying to fix 'em Lil Dub as theyre pretty cheap to replace (think I payed about 7 pounds ($18) back in the UK). Just call up you local V-Dub shop and ask if they have a master cylinder brake light switch

thanks heaps for the advice! seems a lot easier than i thought it would be!!

i actually took it to an auto electrican a few months ago (no, longer than that - it was after the ettamogah pub cruise when trevor and john complained to me that my break lights didn't work!!)
the guy seemed rather bemused and said "there's nothing wrong with them -- they work!"

but the problem has slowly dawned on me...............and now i can fix it yay!
thanks!
thorun

Hi Thorun,

I had a similar problem, both brake lights were out, fuse and globes were fine!

Had the brake switch replaced and it's now working fine, except my left brake light goes on and off, it's more like a contact problem :vader

I know what you mean about driving without brake lights tho, just doesn't feel safe even if your brakes are working!

Ron

hey check ur u2u