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Brake lights quit
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cletus_zuber
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PostPosted: Thu Oct 30, 2014 5:39 pm    Post subject: Brake lights quit Reply with quote

Noticed it today, last checked about 2 weeks ago.
Didn't check bulbs because all 3 are out, have an LED strip as the third light.
Fuse is good, fan on same fuse works, horn on same wire bundle works.
Guessing been running on one working brake light switch for some time, now the other has quit. Unknown vintage or manufacture of said switches.

Question: Should have power to black wire to switches with key on, correct?


Secondly, is the fact my dimmer switch quit also somehow related?

72 super, fairly unhacked wiring, not original pristine but I know what goes where.

Thanks
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ROCKOROD71
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PostPosted: Thu Oct 30, 2014 7:50 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I believe black is power in to switch, red/black is power out to the lights when the brakes are engaged. This might help:
http://www.speedyjim.net/schem/3brake.gif

edit: mine work with key on but I'm not sure it's "correct"
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Cusser
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PostPosted: Thu Oct 30, 2014 9:55 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

ROCKOROD71 wrote:
I believe black is power in to switch, red/black is power out to the lights when the brakes are engaged. This might help:
http://www.speedyjim.net/schem/3brake.gif

edit: mine work with key on but I'm not sure it's "correct"


The key has to be in "run" position for the brake lights on these, at least to 1971 (my newest).
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CB_Strange
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PostPosted: Fri Oct 31, 2014 8:25 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Cusser wrote:


The key has to be in "run" position for the brake lights on these, at least to 1971 (my newest).


Same with my '72.
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Mr.Duncan
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PostPosted: Fri Oct 31, 2014 9:47 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

If you do get new brake light switches, Get German ATE/FTE switches.

I've tested every other aftermarket switch, and they all fail in similar ways (blowing guts out/leaking brake fluid)

two prong:
http://airheadparts.com/vintage-vw-parts/vanagon-f...45515-h-gr

three prong:
http://airheadparts.com/vintage-vw-parts/vanagon-f...13945515-g
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Red 1971 Squareback Thread
Red 1966 Beetle Thread
---------------------------------------------------
1971 Green Super Beetle (sold)
1966 Ghia (sold)
1971 Blue Super Beetle (sold)
1966 Java Green Std Beetle (sold)
1971 Red Squareback (sold)
1966 Red Beetle
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Greezy Joe
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PostPosted: Tue Nov 04, 2014 8:24 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I have had brake light switches go bad many times either electrics or leaks. Now I use the switch for a ground now to ground a relay, the relay carries the load to the lights, have not had one burn out in years.
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Mr.Duncan
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PostPosted: Tue Nov 04, 2014 8:29 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Greezy Joe wrote:
I have had brake light switches go bad many times either electrics or leaks. Now I use the switch for a ground now to ground a relay, the relay carries the load to the lights, have not had one burn out in years.




Adding a relay is the best thing you can do.

Those little switches have to handle a load of 55 Watts.

adding a relay, takes that load off of them.
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Red 1971 Squareback Thread
Red 1966 Beetle Thread
---------------------------------------------------
1971 Green Super Beetle (sold)
1966 Ghia (sold)
1971 Blue Super Beetle (sold)
1966 Java Green Std Beetle (sold)
1971 Red Squareback (sold)
1966 Red Beetle
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