Brake light problem

[gavstar]

I've just noticed that it takes a lot of pressure on the brake pedal before my brake light comes on, which i'm sure must be annoying for people behind me, as well as increasing the risk of them running into the back of me. I can quite easily brake to a stop without the light coming on at all. The car has passed its MOT but it's something I would like to fix.
Is this an easy/cheap job?

[Paulathome]

Hi there,
The brake light switch is by the pedal on a rather crappy bracket which often gets bent enough to stop the brake lights working at all.
Check that the switch is in the right position, and the switch plunger is moving in and out when the pedal is being pressed if it is then the switch may be nackered.
The switches are only cheap and easy to replace.
Hope this helps.
cheers.
Paul.

Edited by Paulathome on Wednesday 3rd January 17:34

[gavstar]

Paulathome said:

Hi there,
The brake light switch is by the pedal on a rather crappy bracket which often gets bent enough to stop the brake lights working at all.
Check that the switch is in the right position, and the switch plunger is moving in and out when the pedal is being pressed if it is then the switch may be nackered.
The switches are only cheap and easy to replace.
Hope this helps.
cheers.
Paul.

Edited by Paulathome on Wednesday 3rd January 17:34

Thanks Paul. I'll have a look in the bible as I'm not sure exactly what you mean, but I will have a look rather than pay a garage an hour's labour to do the same. Do I need to remove/unscrew anything?

[paulathome]

No you dont need to remove anything, just lie in foot well face up and look up at the brake pedal pivot point.
Just below it you should see the brake light switch with a couple of wires coming from it.
The pedal, when not being pressed rests against the switch pushing it in.
When the pedal is pressed this then allows the plunger in the switch to come out which then makes the connection
and your brake lights should come on.
Hope that helps, let us all know how you get on.
Cheers
Paul.

[gavstar]

Does anyone know what car this is from? Local spares place could not find it in his catalog.
Cheers

Edited by gavstar on Sunday 7th January 12:42

[the dodger]

Gav, if you need a new switch, I've got a spare new one.

email me to sort out logistics.

Rog.

[gavstar]

the dodger said:

Gav, if you need a new switch, I've got a spare new one.

email me to sort out logistics.

Rog.

Rog that's very kind of you. YHM....

[gavstar]

OK, fitted new switch (old one snapped). Unfortunately the brake light comes on too late. On my Golf the light comes on as soon as I touch the pedal, whereas on the Chim I could still pretty much come to a stop without the light coming on. Is there anything that can be adjusted? How about the pedal itself?

[Cider Andy]

The mounting bracket is quite flexible. The simplest way is to bend it slightly away from the pedal. Check and adjust further, as necessary.

[gavstar]

Cider Andy said:

The mounting bracket is quite flexible. The simplest way is to bend it slightly away from the pedal. Check and adjust further, as necessary.

Sorry, do u mean the mounting bracket of the pedal? I can just bend it?

[Cider Andy]

No, you can't bend the mounting bracket of the pedal, not even by standing on it I would hope! But you can bend the mounting bracket of the switch.

[5yearstobuyatvr]

Hi Cider Andy! Not seen much of you recently, have you been busy with your veneering project, do you take your car of the road in winter? John

[gavstar]

OK, final update - have now had the brake light mount adjusted so that the lights come on as soon as I apply pressure to the pedal...working a treat now.

[Paulathome]

Well done that man.
Paul