All good information. David B gave me some helpful details last night, and I was able to pick up a pair of switches this morning and make short work of the problem. Thanks, everybody. No need to bleed if you're quick about it.

Jim

On Mon, May 6, 2024 at 8:46 AM Jack R <jack007@comcast.net> wrote:

> My switches have always failed in an "off mode"... they tends to require > more brake pressure as they start to fail. > > May also be an indicator that you need to bleed your brakes, as air or > moisture in fluid reduces pressure. > > I've always considered placing an LED in front wired to the brake circuit, > to let me know when this switch is working properly and that my brake > lights are "on". > > Jack > > > -----Original Message----- > From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf > Of Jim Felder > Sent: Sunday, May 5, 2024 3:53 PM > To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM > Subject: Brake light problem > > I discovered this afternoon that neither brake light is working on the rear > of the car. Since neither is working, it's probably the master cylinder > switches. But if I recall correctly, the master switches fail in the > "always on mode," So it probably isn't that, p;us the unlikelihood that > both would go out simultaneously. So what is the next obvious failure point > I should be looking at? It isn't the bulbs BTW because they work with the > emergency flasher switch. > > ?? > > Jim > >