Brake light switch thread issues?

mtnfir · 03-08-2009, 10:44 AM

I was in the process of replacing my brake light switches on my 87 targa (located on master cylender). I got the old ones out and tried to thread in the new ones, with the wide spaced spade connectors and they didn't seem to want to thread in. I have two new switches from our host and neither of them would screw in. THe old one went back in effortlessly. Other than the wider connections, are they threaded differently too? Another supplier sells the narrow connector ones made for VW's . WIll they work?
THanks

DailyDriven'88 · 03-08-2009, 01:35 PM

This doesn't sound good, as Im about to change them in my '88. I hope I dont run into this same issue.

I will be watching this thread.

mtnfir · 03-10-2009, 04:02 PM

Well, I just received three brake light switches that were ordered from another supplier for a an 87 volkswagon and guess what they worked perfectly. THere seems to be a bit of a taper on the threads that allowed these to screw right in . Also, they were of the narrow spade variety so I didnt have to destroy my conector to get it to work. ALso , they were only 8 dollars.
Hope this helps

Zeke · 03-10-2009, 04:12 PM

I can only add that the correct ones do have a tapered thread.

cab83_750 · 03-10-2009, 04:13 PM

Call me crazy but FYI...........

When I flushed my oil, I went ahead and replaced my old (possibly original) brake switch with a new one.

The new one went dead after a few months, received a warranty replacement, the replacement went dead after a few months, and finally I got tired of replacing it.

I dug up the old one and it has been about 2 years now, and the old one still works.

mtnfir · 03-10-2009, 05:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cab83_750

Call me crazy but FYI...........

When I flushed my oil, I went ahead and replaced my old (possibly original) brake switch with a new one.

The new one went dead after a few months, received a warranty replacement, the replacement went dead after a few months, and finally I got tired of replacing it.

I dug up the old one and it has been about 2 years now, and the old one still works.

I guess new does not necessarily mean improved.

john walker's workshop · 03-10-2009, 05:13 PM

made in spain, brazil, czech republic. hard to find good ones these days. i've had lots of failures too. they all screwed in though.

rnln · 03-10-2009, 11:19 PM

they might not all have same thread, maybe? This thread my clear something:
Brake fluid weeping at brake light swtich. Fix with sealant? Teflon tape?

cab83_750,
This is a famous problem with our hydrolic switch. This is a fix by using the brake light wtich blsas. This thread might help, or you can search on "Brake light switch".
One or Two Brake Light Swiches???

Zeke · 03-11-2009, 07:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rnln

This is a famous problem with our hydrolic switch. This is a fix by using the brake light wtich blsas.

Always worked for me.

rnln · 03-11-2009, 09:38 AM

milt,
In my case, they always work after replaced too, but start slowing down in about 2 or 3 months. By less than a year, it's completely slow. I replaced many set already before I installed the device.