87 3.2 Targa brake light issue

[gjdet]

Hoping someone has an idea here...

Brake lights do not light under normal braking, like in traffic. They do light if I apply more pressure to the pedal, like a panic stop. Not a complex electrical issue in that the situation does not change regardless of whether other lights/ electrical items are in use. This car is all stock, no modifications whatsoever. Is this just an adjustment? Where do I start?

[tratza]

Could be a problem with the bulbs not making contact. I had that a few years ago. You did check the bulbs I assume? I ended up taking the entire assembly apart to fix what was a contact issue. Turned out to be a real pain putting them back together and getting them secured in the original holes.

[twistoffat]

It sounds like a failing brake light switch at the pedal cluster. Heres a thread on the issue for you to read through
Brake Light Switch, Again?

[Arne2]

The brake lights in your '87 are activated by a pair of pressure switches on the master cylinder. As the switches get older, they require more pressure to activate the lights. Worse, it seems to be hard to find good quality switches these days, and the replacements now available may only fix the issue for a year or so before they start failing again.

Many of us have given up on those switches and adapted a purely mechanical switch instead. Try this thread for an example.

Safer stop lights

[RL technical]

Trust me on all of my cars I have fitted mechanical switches on the pedal clusters, those pressure activated switches are a rear end moment waiting to happen.

[gjdet]

Thanks guys! The tinkering continues...

[wrxnofx]

I'd guess it's the pressure switches. Mine behaved the same way. I replaced them and now the brake lights come on with a lot less pressure to the pedal.

An offset box wrench is your friend here for the back one. I believe they're 22mm. A deep socket works fine for the front one. Make sure when ordering the switches that you get the proper ones for your car. There are 2-pole and 3-pole switches. The easiest way to verify which you have is to pull the connector off the end and see how many prongs go into the connector.