Date: Fri, 9 Oct 2015 10:54:32 -1000
Reply-To: "SDF ( aka ;jim lahey' - Scott )" <scottdaniel@TURBOVANS.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: "SDF ( aka ;jim lahey' - Scott )" <scottdaniel@TURBOVANS.COM>
Organization: Cosmic Reminders
Subject: Re: Help me diagnose and fix no brake lights
In-Reply-To: <CAFnDXk3MFPWKDUwGCi07SVVHErwzCy6okkb2e756nZ3aGCbToQ@mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8; format=flowed
I have found it takes more force stepping on the brake pedal than you
think it should take to turn on the brake lights.
How about you rig up a test light at the switches to tell you when
they are making contact..
then ....find out how hard you have to push in the brake pedal to get
one or both to make contact.
I have never found tradiationally that brake light switches...the
pressure kind mounted on the brake master cylinder to be weak or even
ever wear out almost.
I trust original working ones than any new ones I might get..
heck ...I can not think of a time in working on hundreds of vanagons for
a couple decades at least..
where I bought new brake light swtiches , unless they cam one a new MC.
See if there is any pressure value stamped on them like on a oil
pressure switch.
You might have incorrect ones for your application.
I keep a large baby moon chrome hup cap to hang on the garage door
behind my van so I can easily see rear lights working during testing and
repair.
this is also why I save lots of good used parts.
I can think of many cases where a new part, particulairly one from you
know where, was not as good as a good used original type part.
I don't consider brake lights swtiches to be a wear item even.
scott
On 10/9/2015 6:43 AM, Jim Felder wrote:
> 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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