Date:         Tue, 10 Apr 2007 00:13:43 -0500
Reply-To:     Matt Roberds <mattroberds@COX.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Matt Roberds <mattroberds@COX.NET>
Subject:      Re: Brake light sensor switch adj.
Comments: cc: Troy <colorworks@GCI.NET>
In-Reply-To:  <20070410040308.LTRA14663.fed1rmmtai113.cox.net@fed1rmimpi01.cox.net>
Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII; format=flowed

> From:    Troy <colorworks@GCI.NET>
> Date:    Mon, 9 Apr 2007 19:24:39 -0800
>
> I looked around at the floor level behind the pedal and did not see
> any switch. I also checked the brake section in the Bentley, but did
> not see any mention of a brake switch.

Brake light switches generally live in one of two places.

Every other car in the world: In a bracket next to the brake pedal arm
near the pivot point of the arm.  In other words, look at the brake
pedal and then look up, not down.  If you foot is on the brake pedal,
it's above your toes.  The switch can usually be threaded in and out
like a bolt, or slid back and forth in a clip, to adjust it.  There is a
minimum of two wires and if the car had factory cruise control there are
probably at least four.  This switch works the other way to most other
switches: when the plunger is UP, the switch is ON, and when the plunger
is DOWN, the switch is OFF.

Volkswagens: On the master cylinder.  It's a pressure switch that screws
into the master cylinder and is turned on by the pressure of the brake
fluid.  There isn't any adjust; you replace it if it doesn't work.  On
early air-cooled models it was the only switch on the master cylinder;
later other switches were added for the warning light on the dash.

Matt Roberds