Brake Switch - Voltage

[onetuza]

Received a new master cylinder from WW and didn’t realize that it comes with the brake switch. A 65 would have been 6V but my car has been converted to 12V. Is the brake switch voltage specific? WW is closed till Monday and I’m anxious to know if I should use it or swap it for what’s been on the car. Probably doesn’t matter anyway since my tail lights and brake lights are LED.
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When I die, I want to go peacefully in my sleep, like my grandfather . . . .
Not screaming, like the other passengers in his car!

[Trevor P]

The brake switch doesn’t care what voltage. 6V or 12V it will work.
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53 Canadian standard oval
56 Wolfsburg PG/SG
57 Oval, 2332 & Berg 5
70 911T
91 Westy

[h~moto]

I have heard that new brake light switches are not of good quality so hang on to your old one. I have no experience with the WW ones though.

[Cusser]

[mukluk]

[pwmcguire]

Some vw vendor says they got their hands on quality German brake light switches for 30 dollars. I can't remember who.

[Cusser]

I was in a small town this summer (and I'm not signed up for mail delivery there), so I replaced one of the brake switches on my 1970 with one from Autozone (lifetime warranty). So far, so good, I'll report if that gives me trouble...
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1970 VW (owned since 1972) and 1971 VW Convertible (owned since 1976), second owner of each. The '71 now has the 1835 engine, swapped from the '70. Second owner of each. 1988 Mazda B2200 truck, 1998 Frontier, 2014 Yukon, 2004 Frontier King Cab. All manual transmission except for the Yukon. http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=335294 http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=335297

[Sharp64]

I purchased an ATE or similar “German quality” switch from an online vendor and it failed in less than a year (<1000 miles). Replaced it with one from NAPA and seems to be lasting longer now.
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1960 Indigo Blue Ragtop (Blue Barry)
1967 Ghia
1985 Westy Money Pit
“...some men aren't looking for anything logical, like money. They can't be bought, bullied, reasoned, or negotiated with. Some men just want to watch the world burn.” - Michael Caine

[glutamodo]

Was it really Até though? I'm still running the master cylinder I bought over 25 years ago in my 62, It was German Até and came with a new switch installed... and it's never given me a single problem.

Now, I do have a new Mera brand German switch if I ever need it... but I don't know if anyone still sells that particular one anymore.
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Andy T.


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[Sharp64]

[scrivyscriv]

If you install the 12v switches, you will get increased power to the brake lights and reduce the time it takes for the bulb to light up to full brightness. 12V is the way to go. They are backwards compatible with 6V alternators as long as you have a positive ground system.
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Robert in Memphis
Dünkelgrügen 1967 Java Green bug thread
Engine rebuild thread
If you're ever in the Memphis area, you are welcome to stop by for advice and help.

[mukluk]

[heimlich]