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Tue Feb 17, 2004 9:14 am

I just replaced my master cylinder and now my brake lights don't work. do I just need to replace the brake light switches? I hope!?!?

Thanks

Tue Feb 17, 2004 10:33 am

- Check your switches, make sure the contacts are seated well.
- Also, I have heard of people getting the switches where the brake lines go, and visa-versa. So I would check that out too. I know that there were reversed in one of the articles in WVTrends.
- I would also check the fuses, see if something else on the same fuse is out?

Good Luck.

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Tue Feb 17, 2004 10:49 am

Although brake light switches are cheap to buy (cheap in quality too) you can use a multimeter to check the originals. Put the meter in the ohms position and place the leads across the outside terminals. Have somone push the brake pedal. You should get a reading of 2 ohms or less. Anymore than that and its time to get new switches. Don't buy those pieces of crap they sell for $3.95. Six months later you'll be buying new ones. Either get genuine VW at $35.00 each or go to your local pick a part (Brown Field or south Chula Vista) and get a few sets from a Vanagon. THe master cylinder is up behind the dash. Check for the VW emblem and part # between the terminals. I bought a bunch for about $10. Checked them at home and found 7 out of 8 to be good.

If your switches are good make sure the wiring inside the boot didn't break off. The switches are wired in parallel. The black lead is the 12 volt supply from the #2 fuse. The Red/Black goes to the brake lights.

And make sure the ignition is on when you check operation. THe brake lights only work when the key is on. :wink: