Thank you all for letting me rant like this
I re-read the Volvo Article and found that the Volvo Electronics Guru whole hardly endorses the "Mechanical Switch" conversion, in fact, he sells a kit for Volvo Owners.
I conceed it is possibly the final word in the Faulty Hydrolic Brake Light Switch.
However, he does endorse 2 possible fixes as an alternative to the mechanical switch mod:
Quote:
...heat generating arc would be greatly diminished if a relay, with its milliamps of load current opposed to brake light filaments, were the actual load on the contact. ...so I would grant, that a relay might be a solution. I would suggest that a fly-back diode be placed across the coil in order to quench the inductive relay energy which would also cause contact arcing.
Another possible solution would be to convert the brake lights themselves over to LEDs, gaining the advantage of a marked decrease in load current being switched by the contacts
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Please humor me to see if there is such a relay. I now have a good excuse to use LED's.
My plan is to switch to LEDs, Relay and then Low Pressure ( if I can have it made ) and post my findings. If this experiment fails, I Will submit to the Mechanical Switch with Full Encouragement.
However, here are my reservations on the Mechanical Switch Mod, maybe I am too negative and I hope I do not jinx anyone
:
1.
No Back Up Switch ( like the dual Hydro set up, I can still press a bit firmer to get the lights to switch on)
2.
Possible failure of the bracket holding the M.S. and/or bolts ( since it is a mod, virbations and constant use may loosen the bracket and maybe the bolts. Yes, it can be lock tite but what about the bracket or make shift device we installed it to, we've seen them all)
3.
Debris may interfere with M.S. (I don't know how many times I've dropped things near the pedal cluster i.e. flying cell phone, detached keys, Fries, The Damn Loose Carpet. I know brake lights are least of my worries at that point but it does happen)
4.
Moisture may short switch out. (Guys, our P-cars Leak, I have a drip when I wash my car on the passenger side right at the location if it was on the driver side on my brake pedal, bzzzzt, no brake lights)
5.
Adjustments Needed for M.S. it is bound to get sloppy or too sensitive.
This is why I am exhausting my efforts to solve this for our community and our loved one's Safety.