My 1999 volkswagen jetta's brake light switch died. So I had it replaced on Monday. Here it is Thursday, and it has gone out again. What is causing the brake light switch to fail? A short? Do I need to replace the brake lamps?
2006-10-19 04:12:12 · 7 answers · asked by Karen S 1 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
The Volkswagen brake light switch is a tricky one to replace. It seems simple, but if done improperly will cause the brake light switch to break again easily.
It's a matter of setting up the stopper at the propery point, and many mechanics don't know how to do it appropriately.
It's not difficult to replace, however you must follow instructions, which most VW parts places do not supply, nor are they willing to help you out in understanding. Yet another reason I hate VW.
However, my Sister-In-Law likes there vehicles, so I did the research on them.
This site
http://forums.vwvortex.com/zerothread?id=1158315
Gives an excellent, detailed explaination with pictures on how to do it appropriately. If you skip one step, do one step out of order, or lock the switch into place before allowing the brake to depress down you can easily allow the switch to fail in a short period of time.
If you had a mechanic do it they won't admit they did it incorrectly. The best thing to do is buy the switch yourself and do it yourself.
If you need assistance, let me know. (Click on my name on the left to e-mail me)
2006-10-19 04:31:57 · answer #1 · answered by hsueh010 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Chances are the first one that failed was the original one. They can fail in the car's lifetime or they may last the life of the car. I would suspect the new switch you got was faulty and had an internal problem that caused it to fail after short use. I would return it to the place you had it replaced and tell them it has failed and it is their obligation to replace it. You should at least have 30 days warranty on it. I would not suspect the lights or such as being at fault as the fuse on the circuit should fail first rather than the brake switch or wiring or anything else on that circuit. The question might also be did they really replace the switch or just "monkey" with it to get it to work?
2006-10-19 04:21:33 · answer #2 · answered by Steiner 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i own a repair shop,and these switch's just wear out,like tires do ,,the more you use the brakes the more other things will wear out to on it too, its a machine and there are going to be lots of things wear out and go bad, and there doesn't have to be a reason for it, its just natural ,you might as well get used to the repair game because if you own a car the next thing to expect is to have to sooner or later pay a repair bill on it,everyone does,that's just life,good luck i hope this help,s.,,PS your mechanic might not have hooked it back up right on it,or he may have bought a bad switch,it happens sometimes,good luck.
2006-10-19 04:21:11 · answer #3 · answered by dodge man 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It sounds like it needs to be adjusted correctly. When you release your brake it opens the circuit, but it does it by coming into contact with the switch. If it it is not adjusted correctly it will "slam" into the switch causing the switch to fail.
2006-10-19 04:15:15 · answer #4 · answered by salter 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Did you decrease your wires to locate wiring for the trailer lights fixtures? if so make valuable that connections is powerful. Park & injury lights fixtures use diverse filaments. verify your bulbs. despite the fact that if it seems which you broke your wiring circuit whilst messing with the trailer. ought to be grounding out on the trailer harness to boot. stable success.
2016-11-23 19:22:38 · answer #5 · answered by reel 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
have the voltage to the switch checked....and the mounting.....sometimes a short can burn things out.
2006-10-19 04:21:34 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Stop hitting it with a big hammer.
2006-10-19 04:19:22 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋