I bought a new brake light switch ,and removed the old , installed the new one wrong i guess. when pushing down on brake pedal no brake lights, when i remove the switch and push the brake switch in with the wires on the light come on but after reinstalling the switch i can't get the lights to work or they are staying on all the time running or not. is there a way to adjust the switch? what am i doing wrong ?

Hello,

REMOVAL

1. Disconnect the wire harness at the connector from the stoplight switch.

NOTE: Locking tab on connector must be lifted before connector can be removed.

1. Remove the hairpin retainer and slide the stoplight switch, the push rod and the nylon washers and bushing away from the brake pedal. Remove the stoplight switch by sliding the stoplight switch up/down as required to remove.

NOTE: Since the stoplight switch side plate nearest the brake pedal is slotted, it is not necessary to remove the brake master cylinder push rod and one spacer washer from the brake pedal pin.

INSTALLATION

1. Position stoplight switch so that the U-shaped side is nearest the brake pedal and directly over or under the pin. Then slide stoplight switch down or up trapping the master cylinder push rod and black bushing between the stoplight switch side plates. Push stoplight switch and push rod assembly firmly toward brake pedal arm. Assemble outside white plastic washer to pin and install hairpin retainer to trap whole assembly.

CAUTION: Do not substitute other types of pin retainers. Replace only with a production hairpin retainer. Component damage may occur.

1. Assemble the wire harness connector to the stoplight switch.

NOTE: Stoplight switch wire harness must have sufficient length to travel with stoplight switch during full stroke of brake pedal. If wire length is insufficient, reroute harness or service as required.

1. Check stoplight switch for proper operation.

My first guess...
The brake light switch may be misaligned, bad ( burned out) or disconnected. Pushing down the brake pedal opens a switch just above the arm of the pedal. If the switch is out of position, the pedal won't hit it and the light stays on. Check to see if the plug is secure. Check to see if the wires are loose or unplugged. If you have a multimeter ( and know how to use it), you can see if the switch opens and closes like it's supposed to. You'll have to get your head under the dash to see it. It's the one on the left.




My second guess.......
A wire shorted to ground in the brake light circuit can cause a new electrical path to the light , bypassing the switch, keeping the light on. It can be hard to find but, any split or cracked wire casings might give it away. It can be anywhere from the brake pedal switch all the way back to the brake lights.
Good Luck
I hope this helps.
Chris

Check & replace if necessary the brake pedal switch placed above pedals on the support.

The brake pedal switch on a 2001 VW Beetle is placed above pedals on the support.

1. Remove the cover panel above the driver's side foot well...



2. Locate old switch, push in brake pedal, and twist switch body to remove...


3. Unplug 4 pin connector from old switch and plug into new switch (it only goes one way...don't force it!). Insert new switch into frame and depress brake petal. You should turn it until it locks into place and is positioned like the original.

4. Start Bug. Press the brake pedal once or twice and the EPC light should go out ...


5. If it looks like that... great! Replace the cover over the foot well and you are done! If not, check the 4 pin connection and make sure it is fully seated in the switch. Also check to see if you can hear the switch engage when you press the brake pedal ... if not, you will need to remove the switch and adjust the push rod. The rod will move in and out for adjustment. Check to see if the brake lights come on when you press the brake pedal as well!

Hi, you may be looking at the cruise control release switch. The stop light switch is behind the pedal as shown below. You're right--this is not an easy fix. After replacing, you need to make up a special tool to adjust it.

1. Disconnect the negative battery cable.
2. Remove the three fasteners from the left side insulator panel.
3. Slide the steering shaft protective cover towards the cowl.
4. Remove the vacuum hose at the cruise control cut OFF switch, if so equipped.
5. Remove the stoplamp switch-to-steering column bracket retaining pin.
6. Unplug the electrical connector.
7. Push the switch arm to the left and towards the cowl to disconnect switch-to-pedal arm. Release the snap clip and remove the switch.

To install:

1. Install the switch and push up until it is seated into the top snap clip.
2. Attach the electrical connectors.
3. Connect the switch to the pedal.
4. Install the switch-to-steering column retaining pin.
5. Connect the vacuum hose if equipped with cruise control.
6. Install the steering shaft protective sleeve.
7. Adjust the stoplamp switch.
8. Install the left sound insulator, connect the negative battery cable and check switch operation.

ADJUSTMENT

1988-92 Vehicles
See Figures 3 and 4

Fig. Fig. 3: Suggested brake light adjustment tool for 1988-92 vehicles

Fig. Fig. 4: Adjusting the brake light switch-1992 vehicle shown

1. Depress the brake pedal (push down), as far as possible and hold.
2. Using a stiff wire with a hooked end, gently pull the switch set lever forward (toward the front of the vehicle), and listen for an audible click that indicates release of the automatic adjuster.

If no click is heard, release the brake pedal and repeat the above procedure.

1. After release of the automatic adjuster, slowly pull the brake pedal all the way rearward. Listen for the switch to ratchet into the set position (setting the brake light switch). At least three clicks of the ratchet should be heard.
2. Inspect the operation of the brake lights, as follows:
   1. The brake lights should light at maximum brake pedal travel of 1 1 / 4 in. (32mm) and throughout the remainder of the pedal travel.
   2. If the brake lights do not light, repeat the switch adjuster procedure one more time.

The brake pedal switch on 1999 VW Beetle is placed above pedals on the support.

1. Remove the cover panel above the driver's side foot well...



2. Locate old switch, push in brake pedal, and twist switch body to remove...



3. Unplug 4 pin connector from old switch and plug into new switch (it only goes one way...don't force it!). Insert new switch into frame and depress brake petal. You should turn it until it locks into place and is positioned like the original.



4. Start Bug. Press the brake pedal once or twice and the EPC light should go out ...




5. If it looks like that... great! Replace the cover over the foot well and you are done! If not, check the 4 pin connection and make sure it is fully seated in the switch. Also check to see if you can hear the switch engage when you press the brake pedal ... if not, you will need to remove the switch and adjust the push rod. The rod will move in and out for adjustment. Check to see if the brake lights come on when you press the brake pedal as well!



Please do rate my response. Thanks!

Sounds like you are on the right road with the switch. Before I bought a new switch I would locate the switch, it will come in direct contact with the brake pedal arm, and see if there is an adjustment or if it has moved for some odd reason. Sometimes things just happen.

Check that the pedal height isn't sagging due to low brake fluid level. Also check for adjustment of the brake light switch or the BPP (Brake Pedal Position) switch.

Brake Pedal Position (BPP) Switch Removal & Installation To Remove:

1. Disconnect battery negative cable.
2. Disconnect brake pedal position (BPP) switch electrical connector.
3. Remove self locking pin.
4. Remove switch from brake master cylinder push rod.
5. Remove push rod spacer.
6. Remove push rod bushing.

To Install:

1. Install push rod bushing.
2. Install push rod spacer.
3. Install switch to brake master cylinder push rod.
4. Install self locking pin.
5. Connect electrical connector.
6. Connect battery negative cable.

Its the signal light switch on the lever.
THe signal switch has all connections relating to the brake lights!
solution play around with the lever and see or get someone to see the brake lights work with the brake pedal down.
My car does the same thing! when i move the lever towards activaiting the high beams the brake lights work.
just gently push on the lever to see the lights go on.
you have to replace the switch and requires removing the steering wheel without setting off the airbag.

Usually this is caused by a broken or faulty brake switch. They are usually located above the brake pedal, inside the car. Look at the pedal from inside the car. Push the pedal down and watch it. Look for a switch that should extend a plunger when the pedal is pushed down. The plunger is supposed to go back into the switch when the pedal returns to it's normal position. This is what lets the brake lights know the pedal has been depressed. In most of the cases I have seen the plunger breaks or it gets cocked sideways and stays out or the switch holder itself breaks and the switch moves instead of the plunger. Then the brake lights think that the pedal is being pushed down even when it's not. Start there.
The only other time I have seen this is when someone used the wrong type of light bulbs in the brake lights.

Change the brake light switch on the brake pedal arm. Go down to the parts store and ask for a new brake liight switch for your Pathfinder and look up under the dash where the brake pedal arm goes and you will see the switch. You will need to unplug the wires to your old one and disconnect it and install the new one the same way. It is pretty much self adjusting once the brake pedal is released. If the brake light does not go out adjust the switch pin to be longer so it will depress when the pedal is released