No Brake Lights?? Quick Fix?

[KevinTodd]

Hey guys....

Brake lights went out last night on my way home. Figured it was simply a fuse but that doesn't seem to be the problem.

Any suggestions for a quick fix? What am I missing?

[lupin..the..3rd]

The brake light switches are common culprits. Although when they go bad, they don't typically fail completely - they just require increasing amounts of brake pressure to close. If you push really hard on the brake pedal, do they light up?

[KevinTodd]

No---nothing. Can I get to the switch to replace it?

[rnln]

Mybe it's one of the switch, maybe it's a fuse, and maybe it's something else.
To make sure if it's one of the switch, you need to test them one by one. I would find the switches, near the brake MS, in the front trunk on the left. Start the car, use volt metter to measure the 2 wire comming to each switch. One wire should carry close to 12v. If the other wire won't have voltage when brake pedal is depressed, it's the switch. If both wires don't have any voltage, it's something else before the switches.

[andyt11]

do what rnln said. put your meter to ground and to one wire. One will have 12v. The other wire should have nothing unless the pedal is pressed. If the pedal is pressed and you still have nothing then the switch is toast. But I doubt it's the switch though.

You did check the bulbs right? - I know its a bit far fetched that they both blew at once, but before you go on a wild goose chase it might not be a bad idea to have a quick look.

[86 911 Targa]

Originally Posted by KevinTodd

Hey guys....

Brake lights went out last night on my way home. Figured it was simply a fuse but that doesn't seem to be the problem.

Any suggestions for a quick fix? What am I missing?

Kevin,

Having replaced both of my brake light switches a few months ago, and recently helped another member, here is what I did.

1. Disconnected the black/yellow wire from both switches, apply 12V.

2. If the brake lights light up, the switches are defective.

3. You will need an offset wrench to replace the switches.

4. The switches are designed as a redundant system, so both are probably defective.

5. Not an uncommon issue, P/P has them.

6. Do a search-Brake light switches, all the help you need is there.

Good luck,

Gerry

Edit: when replacing the original two pin brake light switches on our '86, the male pin connectors on the new switches were not compatible with the female connectors on the harness.

The fix was to cut the harness connectors, and replace with insulated crimp type male spade conectors.

Also, you should have the two pin switches.

[lupin..the..3rd]

Originally Posted by 86 911 Targa

4. The switches are designed as a redundant system, so both are probably defective.

If the switches are 3 pole switches, one bad one will trigger a warning lamp on the dashboard.

If they are 2 pole switches, then there is no warning lamp - they will continue to work when one fails, and will stop working completely when the second one fails.

[KevinTodd]

Parts (switches) ordered.............be here Monday.

Now I can enjoy my beverage.........