Brake Lights Went Out

quote:

Originally posted by Khan Smith:
The other day, my brake lights went out. The parking lights in the rear are still working. I put a volt meter on the brake switch with the brake pedal depressed and got no reading. From my understanding, the brake lights are the same fuse as the parking lights. Any thoughts?

No power on either side of the switch? There is an easy to read schematic on Pantera Place. Pretty simple circuit.

Mike

quote:

I put a volt meter on the brake switch with the brake pedal depressed and got no reading.

To read voltage at the switch, one voltmeter lead needs to be on a proven chassis ground, and the other to one of the two switch terminals.

One switch terminal is hot, probably only with key in ON position. The second terminal position will become hot if the fluid pressure closes the internal contacts.

The switch is not a common VW unit, as some believe. But is sold by our vendors.

I just replaced mine, as I needed mucho pedal pressure before the lights went on. I did it without any problems, and did not bleed brakes afterwards.

Cost less than $20 from Wilkinson.

Larry

Yes! Did You have the Ignition Switch ON? The Fuses Handle the Systems 'Diaganally' on the Pantera. That is so, if One Fuse Blows, Both Lights Do NOT Go Out! The Opposite Side will Still Work! That was the Plan anyway

I did not have the key on. Went out this morning, put the key on and one side is hot. I used my trusty table leg to keep the brakes applied and no voltage on other side. I have to assume the switch went bad and I should order another. Is that the same conclusion you all would make?

Thank You,
Khan

My next step would be to pull the wires from the switch and jumper them together to prove that it is a bad switch.

Mike

quote:

Is that the same conclusion you all would make?

Yes

thanks guys

Khan, I've never found a true interchange for the brake light switch, either- either the thread is wrong (stock is not a tapered pipe thread) or the electrical connections are round instead of being blades... So you'll be shopping at a vendor for a new one. The alternate is a mechanical brake light switch from a Camaro that attaches between the dash and the brake pedal- no hydraulic hookup needed.