Brake light switches.

[JimK]

Anybody replaced the pressure switch with a mechanical switch on the brake pedal or master cylinder?
I know there will be replies along the lines of "Why would you want to do that, the pressure one is good enough" but humour me.

How much brake pedal force does the standard switch need before it works? Does this force increase as the switch ages?

It seems that modern cars use the pedal position rather than force applied. I know that both of my Fords illuminate the lights before any brake force is being applied to the discs. This is going to show the lights fractionally earlier, too, which can only be good.

So, I wondered about fitting a microswitch by the pedal. There's no problem with current, and the snap action of the switch should help prevent arcing problems.

[Stig]

I suspect the standard switch works on very little pressure but it does increase if the switch starts to fail. Well, it did with me - it was taking a lot of pedal pressure to work so I replaced the switch and now the lights seem to come on straight away.

[JimK]

Just tried it. I move the spade connectors and cleaned the terminals, and now the lights are working but it's still taking a bit of a prod on the pedal to light them.

I think I might get a new one - the lights should come on with the slightest touch on the pedal.

[minor_hickup]

Agreed. But the new switches seem to be unreliable. I'm on my theird this year.

Those who remember my last post on brake light switches; the new item lasted less than three months.

[Welung666]

Agreed. But the new switches seem to be unreliable. I'm on my third this year.

Try driving our Cavalier! we have to fit a new brake light switch every 10 weeks!

[minor_hickup]

Well this ones almost gone now. It only comes on when I press unbelievably hard. My local friendly supplier has changed their supplier but it seems to have done little good. I'll ask them if they have a few working 2nd hand ones i could have.