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Date:         Sun, 25 Dec 2005 12:40:56 -0800
Reply-To:     Evan Mac Donald <macdonald1987@SBCGLOBAL.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Evan Mac Donald <macdonald1987@SBCGLOBAL.NET>
Subject:      Re: Finding and Accessing the Brake Light Switch
In-Reply-To:  <11dcddf80512251211v3866d87dvc57246ffa3e444de@mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1

And maybe while you are still inside the instrument cluster area, say, after step #3, check the switches themselves for correct funtion. A standard continuity tester and a 12V source hooked up to first one switch, then the other for this test: powered up but no pedal pressing - light off. powered up AND pedal pressing - light on. If either switch fails this test, it needs replacing. And a note - the pressure required is more than just touching the pedal, or making it move. A fair amount of hydralic pressure must be developed before the switch trips.

And maybe the last check - are both brake light bulbs dead? Test this with a 12V jump lead to one of the connectors at the brake switches, or pull the bulbs and test them....

Christopher Gronski <gronski@GMAIL.COM> wrote: 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 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 > > > > > > >


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