Brake light switch

[brcacti]

I noticed on your parts page you had two brands of brake pedal switches, one was 27 bucks the other 43. Is the cheaper one good?

[John Rogers]

If your old switch is one that has the lever on the side then ******** has them for $19.10. The picture looks like the one I had in my 1973 and my daughter had in her 1974. They also show pressure switches but I think the 914s use the lever model. So I would guess the lower price on is okay.

[Dave at Pelican Parts]

Both of the parts in the catalog are the lever type. I'd be tempted to go with the more expensive one, because of some previous issues with URO parts.

That said, they should both work; the functional difference should be basically none.

--DD

[UROParts]

Hi Brcacti, we've sold 228 of Brake Light Switch 911 613 411 01 in the last 12 months, and haven't had a single complaint or switch returned as defective. Not one.

Originally Posted by Dave at Pelican Parts

Both of the parts in the catalog are the lever type. I'd be tempted to go with the more expensive one, {snip} That said, they should both work; the functional difference should be basically none. --DD

Logically, if the brands "both work" and "the functional difference should be basically none", DIY enthusiasts on a budget would be wiser to get the less expensive one, and use the leftover money to order other parts they need from Pelican.

[Dave at Pelican Parts]

The potential difference is how long they function.

Saving money is certainly good, but there is also value in parts that are expected to be higher quality and longer lasting.

I do not have direct experience with the URO version of this part, but from some previous experience and word-of-mouth, I would at least consider the more expensive part.

That said, both should be viable options.

--DD

[brcacti]

Hello, thanks guys, I took the panel off and the lever was off the washer so adjusted it back on and put on a new rubber stop on the clutch bottoming plate

[kp4058]

Adjusting this switch in place is challenging so I made a few changes. The mounting screws as well as the adjusting screw are M4x.70. I replaced the mounting screws with #2 phillips screws and the adjusting screw with a small hex head (6mm) bolt. I retained the lock nut (it's 7mm). Now it's much easier to adjust while installed.

[914]

Ive adjusted three switches.. Two on my 914/4,914/6 and one on Bob Burtons 914/6..
Boy the are hard to get out and adjust.. But it can be done.. All work now with out any issues..
My question is why they go out of adjustment ?
Thanks Alan/914

[John Rogers]

The note about "hard to work on" can be made easier, which I learned from my Porsche mentor. I always had 3 or 4 pillows to lay on the floor then accessing the floorboard and pedals from the passenger side, laying on the pillows. I also have a LED cordless trouble light with a magnet epoxied on the back to stick up under the dash soooooo I can see.

If you get and install a removable racing steering wheel it will be a tad move room to move around and I also did a mod to the shift lever so it can be unscrewed and NOT poking you in the side.
John Rogers the oldracer

[3 mile]

Usually it’s from pedal cluster wear and over-travel. Worn bushings, a missing or hardened rubber stop, or flex in the bracket lets the pedal travel just enough to slowly push the lever out of adjustment. Vibration over time doesn’t help either.
Once the pedal cluster is tight and the rubber stop is good, the switch adjustment usually stays put getting in there to fix it is the worst part.

[John Rogers]

another neat mod I was shown when I started racing my 914/6 was to adjust the round disc and/or the lever of the brake light switch is to have the brake lights come on when very little brake pedal is used but no pressure is felt in the lines to the calipers. I used this at tracks such as Fontana or Willow Springs so I would keep my gas pedal to the floor while coming up to turn 1 at Willow, tap the brake pedal and I could see my competition fall back 30 to 40 feet and then I would stand on the brakes! This works well in traffic to keep jerks back from your 914's rear!
John Rogers the oldracer