Brake pressure switch, '68 only???

[richparker]

Last night on my way home my brake pedal begun to get soft. I just adjusted the brakes for our big road trip to Tucson this weekend, so I thought it was odd. Pulled over and checked the wheels and pan for fluid, nothing. Got home, pulled the pan and wouldn't you know the brake pressure switch was leaking . Part number 0343102008. I pulled it, inspected it, cleaned it and used some JB weld on it to no avail. Can't find it in the US. I did find a cross reference number on a UK site, which is 90161311500. I googled that number and found a Porsche supplier in Littleton, just outside Denver with it listed. I'm gonna call them this morning and see if they have it and if so can it be shipped today and next day aired to me.

Is there a work around for this switch?

Is this a '68 only part? I can't find it on any ACVW supply site but they are on the Porsche sites. Used in the 911 thru '74.

Thanks
Rich P.
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[busdaddy]

Are we discussing the one in the middle that's a little lower down?, or the ones on each end a bit higher up?
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[richparker]

Middle lower switch

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[richparker]

http://www.rmeuropean.com/Part-Number/Brake-Light-...6B777.aspx
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[aeromech]

Here's a pic of a 1968

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[busdaddy]

Damn, if you are capable of noticing when the pedal is getting soft and the front or rear brakes aren't working well you can replace that switch with a plug (you'll have no dual circuit warning light), if you want the warning light eventually use the later 3 prong switches and do a little bit of rewiring down there.
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[Abscate]

...and, after checking with your lawyer, you can probably bleed the air out of the MC at the plug by starting it into the threads, then, with two-person method, spritzing fluid out onto your face below while you tighten it.

A careful test drive afterwards to see if you have air in your system, of course.

If your brake fluid is more than two years old, ignore this and replace it.
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[richparker]

[aeromech]

Would a three prong switch work? Just use two of the prongs.
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VW Type 2 1971 (3 ea.) 1978, 1969
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[richparker]

The 3 prong switches don't seem to have the plunger at the end of the switch like mine does.
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[aeromech]

Aeromech,
If that's a '68 then what do I have? Totally possible the PO changed the master cylinder out at some point.

Yep, and I still have that MC somewhere. That's the first bus I did the brake booster mod to so the original MC came out and a booster with a 1971 MC went in. I have no idea why yours looks different and I couldn't tell you which is correct.
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Boeing 727,737-200-300-400,757,767
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BAe146
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VW type 1 1962,63,65,69,72
VW Type 2 1971 (3 ea.) 1978, 1969
VW Jetta
VW Passat
Capable of leaping tall buildings in a single bound

[Abscate]

[richparker]

The work around is going to be a plug. Thanks BD and Aeromarh. I will post photos tonight after work when I get it installed. Bus will get a new MC this spring.
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[aeromech]

Happy to help.

Too bad you pulled the switch. Had you waited, you might have been able to get around bleeding the system. Now I'm afraid you'll need to. Finding a proper plug may prove harder than going to your local FLAPS and buying a three prong switch for $5 and just using it to plug the hole if just using two of its prongs won't work. Where's Telford when I need him?
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Boeing 727,737-200-300-400,757,767
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BAe146
Fokker F28/F100
VW type 1 1962,63,65,69,72
VW Type 2 1971 (3 ea.) 1978, 1969
VW Jetta
VW Passat
Capable of leaping tall buildings in a single bound

[airschooled]

The 68/69 brake years were really funky from VW; especially when you take POs into account, and 45 years of negligence.

From what I understand, there are three setups of non-powered MCs:

Double switch, two prongs each - basic brake lights with no warning light options. One switch for each circuit, front and rear.

Triple switch, two prongs each - same as above but with a third (smaller and leaky ) switch to monitor pressure difference between circuits and light-up your ejector seat button.

Double switch, three prongs - a combination of above switches; it has one switch for each circuit, and a third wire on each switch to compare pressure/voltage.

All of these are easily converted to other styles, like BD said a plug works, then you can use three-pring switches if you want your light back.

Robbie
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[richparker]

Having a custom plug made at the machine shop this afternoon. I understand that will have t bleed the brakes after it is installed. I already told the wife her assistance will be needed to pump the brakes.

I wonder if my bus has that MC because it was a tourist delivery bus. There are a few other odd items on the bus as well.
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[aeromech]

[Brian]

hmm, I'm curious as to what your vin is. Because if it's a nice early bay then not only are you going to have problems with the plugs but your rear drums are impossible to find.

I think my VW manual has a diagram of that MC and the cutoff date for it. Let me see if I can find it.


Edit: well, the MC you have is apparently used up until 219061567, so never mind that. From the diagram in the book, I wonder if you could just tap that entire cylinder and stick a bolt in it then use the three prong switches.
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[richparker]

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[Brian]

never mind about the rear then.