Date:         Sun, 25 Dec 2005 15:11:50 -0500
Reply-To:     Christopher Gronski <gronski@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Christopher Gronski <gronski@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: Finding and Accessing the Brake Light Switch
Comments: To: Mark Drillock <mdrillock@cox.net>
In-Reply-To:  <43AEF712.7030300@cox.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1

OK so procedurally what I think I should do is:

1) Remove the cowling and instrument pod to gain access to the switch.
2) Remove the two leads (two wires each) from the brake master
3) Clean the heck out of all the conectors, and apply dialectic grease
4) Check for continuity between those wires and the brake lights in
back (I've stripped one oif the brake wires so I can test this)
5) Pray that it works

Sound right?

Chris

On 12/25/05, Mark Drillock <mdrillock@cox.net> wrote:
> The dual brake pressure switches only detect a failure and light the
> Brake Warning light on 80-84 models. In the 85 and newer models VW
> installed a brake fluid level warning switch instead. The 80-84 brake
> switches have an extra wire lead  for a total of 3 wires each so the
> warning switch can work. Later models only have the 2 wire switches and
> can't detect a failure.
>
> Mark
>
> Evan Mac Donald wrote:
>
> >AHA! This is a classic Volkswagen gotcha! There is no MECHANICAL swich for the brake lights. There are instead TWO hydralic switches on the side of the brake master cylinder. Either of these switches will make the lights work, but if only one of the switches works, but not the other, the Brake Warning switch will also light up. At least in theory! These switches rarely go bad - usually the connectors get knocked off, or just loose...   ...gee, isn't that a rare thing - wiring faults on a Vanagon! ;-)
> >1993 Bonneville
> >
> >
> >
>