Author Topic: Brake Stop Light Switch (Read 2594 times)

Shaunster · « **on:** March 18, 2008, 05:10:58 AM »

Hey all, I just bought a 1990 318IS with a few little dramas and one is the stop light switch.

The brake lights stay on constantly and when I feel around the brake light switch, the pedal when rully released and in its resting position is not pushing the switch in.

I have temprorary fixed this so I can drive the car without everyone beeping at me by putting two thick cable ties around the pedal so that when the pedal is not in use it pushes in the switch so that the brake lights are off.

Now the question is, is there something here to adjust this, or is this a worn out switch? Does the switch get shorted over its life span (maybe there is a spring in it that wears out?)? or do I need to find someway to adjust the pedal so its resting position is closer to the switch, although the pedal is level with the clutchand looking about normal where it is?

This is the switch I have here :
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/BMW-Brake-Light-Switch-E24-E28-E30-E36-4201_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp1742Q2em153Q2el1262QQcategoryZ33569QQihZ019QQitemZ290023895744QQtcZphoto

Thanks,

Shaun.

Cobra Jet · « **Reply #1 on:** March 18, 2008, 07:43:17 AM »

I would just replace the brake pedal switch. It's a common wear item on many types of vehicles. Some of them wear out sooner than others and some of them never break or fail during the life span of the vehicle.

pbgd3skier · « **Reply #2 on:** March 18, 2008, 01:57:58 PM »

try pulling that red ring out all the way, see if that changes anything, believe its a set point for the switch in some fashion.

I replaced mine, was cheap, and it just snaps in place then plugs in.

there are like 6 screws to get all the shrouds out as you've determined. My switch was just plain defective, would sometimes turn on othertimes not.

dude8383 · « **Reply #3 on:** March 18, 2008, 06:42:57 PM »

Quote from: pbgd3skier;45023

try pulling that red ring out all the way, see if that changes anything, believe its a set point for the switch in some fashion.

I replaced mine, was cheap, and it just snaps in place then plugs in.

there are like 6 screws to get all the shrouds out as you've determined. My switch was just plain defective, would sometimes turn on othertimes not.

yup, the red ring should actually "reset" the switch.