Lazy brake lights

R

richarduk

Guest
After changing a leaking brake light switch my brake lights have become rather lazy. Only coming on when braking heavy, say from 30 to a stop. But gentle brake, say to slow a little going down hill they don't work. Any ideas?
 
You may have some air in the system, could just need a bleed. Or your new switch is defective.
You could bleed it from the switch, have an assistant press on the pedal while you loosen the switch with a rag under it to catch the leakage. Worth a try before bleeding the whole system.
 
Hi, in this instance you may not have to bleed the whole system. As the air is in the
junction which is closer to the M/cyl than the calipers. Try pushing the front pads
back thus forcing the fluid and air back up into the reservoir and then pressing the
brake pedal to return the pads to the discs. worth a shot.

Colin
 
Hello Richard,

I had the same experience a few years ago. After fitting a new replacement switch, the lights would only come on when pushing hard on the pedal. Light brake applications would see no brake lights. I removed the switch and fitted a second hand genuine Lucas unit which resulted in the brake lights working perfectly. I used my brake hose clamp so bleeding was not necessary following the switch change.

The new switch that did not work properly was packaged "Intermotor". Is you problematic switch genuine or an aftermarket replacement like mine was?

Ron.
 
SydneyRoverP6B said:
Hello Richard,

I had the same experience a few years ago. After fitting a new replacement switch, the lights would only come on when pushing hard on the pedal. Light brake applications would see no brake lights. I removed the switch and fitted a second hand genuine Lucas unit which resulted in the brake lights working perfectly. I used my brake hose clamp so bleeding was not necessary following the switch change.

The new switch that did not work properly was packaged "Intermotor". Is you problematic switch genuine or an aftermarket replacement like mine was?

Ron.
Click to expand...

I have had a similar problem with my brake light switch on my Rover in Adelaide. I replaced it and it was not long before someone noticed that in only came on with the brake pedal right down, and with the engine running. I did read that there is a bad batch of them out there. Did your bad one come from a supplier in Melbourne by chance? I have had good luck with Beck Arnley Switches, the part number is 201 0130.

The switch is used on quite a few different European cars. I listed all the crosses on the electrical Section about a week ago.

James.
 
j_radcliffe wrote,...
Did your bad one come from a supplier in Melbourne by chance?
Click to expand...

Hello James,

No I obtained the aftermarket switches from a Rover spares centre here in Sydney. I have used Intermotor switches on two occasions, the first as I detailed above, and then on one other occasion the switch worked as it should but it then failed completely after about one year. By comparison the second hand Lucas switch I fitted lasted 8 years before failing.

Ron.
 
I just did a search, and it was a Lucas switch which was reported as causing repeated failures. I can not remember what brand I had that did not last long, and would come on, except under heavy brake pressure. I did find a suggestion that the buildup of rust silt might be blocking the hole into the switch. I know that on the Rover which I have replaced the switches on the brake fluid was not changed as often as it should be.

Here is the link for the earlier postings:

viewtopic.php?f=14&t=4620&hilit=brake+light+switch+batch
 
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