Date: Fri, 9 Oct 2015 16:43:08 +0000
Reply-To: Jim Felder <jim.felder@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Jim Felder <jim.felder@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: Help me diagnose and fix no brake lights
In-Reply-To: <CA+az7_6emeaJBCHwDsi=kxhgYmgDWF48Mp_N2rcFK3uwdvywCg@mail.gmail.com>
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Bought two new switches this morning and installed them. No brake lights.
When the connectors are jumpered (the two opposing positions) both brake
lights come on. Getting power to them obviously. What else could be wrong?
Still out there with a voltmeter and a bentley, trying to make sense of
both. If the brake light switch connectors are getting power, and the
lights come on when the power is jumpered, and the old parts were new, and
the new parts are newer, then what else could there be that keeps these
lights from actuating? I just don't get it.
Jim
On Fri, Oct 9, 2015 at 10:36 AM John Rodgers <jrodgers113@gmail.com> wrote:
> My experience with the lights when not working has been to take each
> fixture apart and clean the heck out of the connections getting rid of any
> rust and corrosion. Made sure there was good metal to metal contact where
> needed. Cleaned all lenses and lubed the seals with a little silicon
> lubricant, then reassembled them.
>
> Never dealt with a switch failure. That's a whole 'nother horse!
>
> John
> On Oct 8, 2015 20:43, "Stuart MacMillan" <stuartmacm@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> > I’ve had way too many of these fail. And, for some reason, they seem to
> > fail at the same time. Supposedly, if only one fails the brake warning
> > light should go on when you apply the brakes, but that has never
> happened.
> > Aftermarket suppliers can’t seem to make switches that can take high
> > pressure for very long. If the dealer still sells them get them there,
> they
> > are just too important to take chances.
> >
> >
> >
> > Stuart
> >
> >
> >
> > From: Jim Felder [mailto:jim.felder@gmail.com]
> > Sent: Thursday, October 08, 2015 3:13 PM
> > To: Stuart MacMillan; vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com
> > Subject: Re: Help me diagnose and fix no brake lights
> >
> >
> >
> > I have the three-pin connectors, but shorting the facing two causes the
> > brake lights to work. This isn't among the last work done, it was done
> two
> > years ago when I did the brakes and suspension. That's not a very long
> life
> > for a brake switch, in my opinion. I wish I could remember when I got
> them
> > from so I wouldn't make the same mistake twice.
> >
> >
> >
> > Thanks, all. I'll let you know if the new new switches work, but I'm
> > pretty sure that's going to be it.
> >
> >
> >
> > Jim
> >
> >
> >
> > On Thu, Oct 8, 2015 at 3:54 PM Stuart MacMillan <stuartmacm@gmail.com>
> > wrote:
> >
> > First, short the two wires on each switch together and see if the lights
> > go on. If not, it's likely wiring, if they do, it's the switches.
> Replace
> > both of them. It's not uncommon for these to fail.
> >
> > Stuart
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf
> > Of Jim Felder
> > Sent: Thursday, October 08, 2015 12:27 PM
> > To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> > Subject: Help me diagnose and fix no brake lights
> >
> > Daughter was driving behind me in the Westy today and called me to say
> > neither brake light was coming on. All other lights working. Brakes
> > excellent, newish MC and brake light switches.
> >
> > All fuses look good. Where should I start looking?
> >
> > Thanks in advance for your help. I need to head out of town overnight
> next
> > friday.
> >
> > Best,
> >
> > Jim
> >
>
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