brake light switch replaced, still not that great

[AVIMAX]

I replaced both my brake light switches on the weekend because the brake lights only come on with a pretty good amount of pressure on the pedal. I checked here in the forum and everything pointed to the switches. Now that they are replaced, I'd say there is only a very small change in the action of the brake lights. They come on a bit earlier, but they still do not come on while sitting at a red light (even on a hill) and my foot on the brakes, or very light braking. (I check the red glow in the chrome grill of the car behind me at night.) Is this normal? Does anybody have brake lights that come on with very light pressure on the pedal? Is a mechanical switch at the pedal assy the only way to drive and feel confident that your brake lights are on?

Thanks.

[ossiblue]

Did you apply pressue to the brake pedal when you installed the switches? Did you bleed the system? If "no" to either of those questions, then try that first. If "yes," then there may be something gumming up the ports where the switches are. It doesn't seem likely that both new switches are faulty.

[JeremyD]

Did you prime the switches by filling the switch hole with a little brake fluid before screwing the switch in?

[myamoto1]

AVIMAX - take ossiblue and JeremeyD's advice. I had the exact same result as you after replacing both of my switches. Only read about priming the switches while trouble shooting the newly installed switches. Luckily for me, I got busy and the car just sat (at a slight incline) for several weeks and magically worked after that. I'm guessing that I had a few tiny bubbles in the switch/master that worked their way out. Been working great for several months now. If you have the time, do it right and pull the switches and prime them. Also, as ossiblue states, make sure you have someone (or something) to mash down on the brake pedal while you remove and replace the switches.

[AVIMAX]

No I didn't prime the switches, or bleed the system after. I read many posts that suggested both ways, some say OK to just install the new switches, some say you need to bleed the system after. So I took the easy route, and the pedal stiffness is unchanged from the few drops of fluid that came out. I guess the best thing to do now is flush the system since it can use it anyways.

By priming the switches, I assume you mean to fill the switches with a little fluid before installing?

Thanks for the suggestions.

[JeremyD]

Originally Posted by AVIMAX

By priming the switches, I assume you mean to fill the switches with a little fluid before installing?

Thanks for the suggestions.

Yes - sorry for the fuzzy picture

[rnln]

Hi AVIMAX ,
1- Most likely you have air in your fluid system. I replaced mine several times, Twice, same result. I had to bleed my fluid.
2- Most likely the "late brake lights" will come back. Mine, and many other, come back after 2 months or so. You should read this thread for more detail, or do a search for "brake light" switch with "DRACO A5OG"
Brake Lights