brake switches

[Brewster]

Well the brake lights are outon my 86 carrera, and i have got the switches exposed on the master cylinder. Was wondering if you can switch the wires from one switch to another. it seeems that cruise control needs both switches to operate but brake lights just one. Will any damage be done just unplugging the wires from the front swich and hooking it to the back one..see wich switch is bad or both...A new porsche owner and any help would be appreciated...Thanks

[drl911]

The switch is just a contact "triggered" by the brake fluid pressure so swapping wires for troubleshooting would not be a problem. I did the very thing on my '86 Carrera just last week.

My problem was the delayed response and/or extreme brake pedal travel required to trigger the brake light switch. I was disappointed after buying a new switch from a local auto parts store that the same delayed response was unchanged. I am seriously considering mounting a conventional contact switch directly to the brake pedal lever for the adjustability and instant response of brake lights.

Dan

[scottb]

Brewster: The parts are cheap, and installation pretty simple. You can get the switches from our host or your local Kragen. Just replace them both and you'll be good to go.

[drl911]

Any ideas why when I replaced my switches the brake pedal must still be pushed with "excessive" force to get the brake lights to come on???

[scottb]

DRL: Air in the system? Bad master cylinder? When's the last time you bled the brakes?

[RoninLB]

some pelicanheads have posted on the poor quality of the triggering of some auto store sw's. I've also read that when the old sw is removed to press on the pedal to remove any crud that has built up in there.

[Brewster]

Thanks for all the tips, the brake lights work fine when jumped across the sensor off the master cyl. Went to the local parts shops and all the parts were not compataible with the plug setup on my 86. If anyone has a part number of where i can get a couple of these switches i would appreciate it...going for a ride the weekend so dont have time to order from our host. Any help would be appreciated...

[Brewster]

do vw switches work in this application?????

[RoninLB]

Originally posted by Brewster
do vw switches work in this application?????

a long time ago this was brought up and many pelicanheads provided experiences with various brake switches. It was a real good thread on this. Maybe you can find it in "search". I didn't take note 'cause I don't shop at local auto stores for my parts.

[scottb]

Originally posted by Brewster
Went to the local parts shops and all the parts were not compataible with the plug setup on my 86.

Now that you mention it, I had the same problem. I bought them anyway and went to the local Radio Shack, bought some spade connectors, and just made an adapter. I think I spent something like $5 for the parts for the adpaters.

I've heard the VW part is the same, but I don't have a cross-reference part number.

Sorry for the hassle...

[Early_S_Man]

There are two versions of the switches, one with 2-pin connector [later models] and the earlier with 3-pin connector.

I don't know how many times this has to be said before some of you listen or actually look at a Porsche parts catalog ... Porsche uses a VW part number rather than one in its' own numbering system!!! How does that translate to a 'Porsche' part that is different, pray tell???

You guys that are buying generic parts from a local store don't have any right to complain about the switch quality issue! The VW part is made by Hella and comes mounted from Ate on new master cylinders!

Do you have unresolved pedal bushing issues?

[scottb]

Warren: Do you know the VW part number?

[3.2 CAB]

113 945 515 G------------ 3-pole switch 1977-86
113 945 515 H------------ 2-pole switch 1984-89