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