Another brake warning light question

[EDragnDean]

73 -- Brake warning light is always on, unless I press the brake, then it turns off. Wiring appears correct, looking for ideas on how to trouble shoot.
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63 Double Cab http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=443823&highlight=deanos
66 Bus Click to view image - SOLD
73 Thing http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=8111202#8111202
70 BusClick to view image

[Captain Spalding]

I've waited days to reply to this hoping that someone more knowledgeable would chime in. My understanding of the brake light switches is not crystal clear.

If I understand correctly, there are two ways that the brake warning lamp may be lit. The first of course is by means of one of the brake lamp switches. The second is by means of a blue wire with the brake warning lamp on one end and the voltage regulator at the other. In this second case, the voltage regulator sends voltage to the brake warning lamp when the key switch is on but the engine is off. This is for the purpose of a bulb check.

So, as far as trouble shooting goes, first I would see if while the engine is running the blue wire is energized. That would indicate a fault in the voltage regulator.

If it is not energized, then the fault may be in one of the brake lamp switches. Unplug each one in turn to see if the warning lamp goes out to identify which is bad. Take note of which wire goes where beforehand.

Hope that helps.

Maybe someone could explain the function of the red and black wires as they relate to the brake warning lamp. There seems to be one always hot wire, two sometimes hot wires, and a ground at the lamp, and I'm unsure of how they work.

[EDragnDean]

Thanks. I.l give it ater and report back
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63 Double Cab http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=443823&highlight=deanos
66 Bus Click to view image - SOLD
73 Thing http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=8111202#8111202
70 BusClick to view image

[[email protected]]

My brake warning light has not worked since I got my car, and maybe it's time it should. What suggestions does the collective have on checking/making this happen? I just replaced both switches, so that shouldn't be the problem./

[perello]

I had the same issue. I found out that the original master cylinder brake sensors with 3 prongs that the Thing mounted originally do not exist anymore.


So you can-t build the correct circuit needed for the light to work properly.

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Aug '58 pressed bumper SO23
1974 German Thing
1978 Bug 1200

[Captain Spalding]

[Legion0514]

Does anyone have any guidance or pictures showing how you ran the wiring for these lights? Thanks!!

[Dougster43]

When I put my Thing back together from the restoration I had the exact same problem. I found that I had the wires swapped on terminals K and 61 on the warning light (dang small terminal numbers...). Landed the wires properly and the light works perfectly.

The lettering on the warning light is really small and my eyes aren't what they used to be... Suggest you double check (with a magnifying glass if needed) the markings on the terminals on the brake light and make sure that the wiring is correct.

I hope that helps.