Brake Switch issue

[RikH]

OK, i was getting codes on VAG-COM for failing clutch and brake switches
so replaced both and no more codes
happy days

but ive now noticed that the brake lights are only coming on right at the bottom of pushing on the brake-aka hard braking only. Been off work and not using car so thought it wouldnt really matter but thinking now if queing in traffic and on motorway they need to come on with less than a stamp on them

Is the switch something that will "loosen" with a bit of time making the lights more responsive or am i best to change the switch again?

 

[NickT]

I'm pretty sure it should come on as soon as you touch the brake pedal, as you said anything less is asking for trouble.
I had to replace mine after the old one packed up on the M25, luckily it was a car park at the time and I managed to get on the hard shoulder without any incident. Ended up with a police escort off.
I'd check the switch is seated properly, as I'm sure you know it's a bit of a fiddly fecker to fit and I had to refit mine once, after I'd got all the dash trim panels back on of course!
If that doesn't work I'd suggest another replacement, they're not expensive.

 

[RikH]

well id get the garage that did it to replace it at no cost cos its not the switch they were supplied with from gsf that they fitted-it was one from their stores that was exact match for the original.

think ill order one from seat the now and get it switched

will have a look first

 

[NickT]

Yer, I'd get it back to them ASAP. Sorry I thought you had fitted it yourself.
FYI my replacement was from GSF and it's been fine.

 

[RikH]

the replacement from gsf was nothing like the one that came off see, so they found one that looked identical in stores and slapped it on.

 

[NickT]

Ah, I see now, you'll have to excuse my fatigue fewked brain.

 

[RikH]

ok ordered replacement from Ted J's
called the garage and told them it would be coming back, fine with it and will change it over for me-he did say they are adjustable though!!!!!!!!

going to have a look when i get time later on today

 

[Big_daddy]

Are the clutch pedal switch and brake pedal switch similer design?

 

[AwesomeSarah]

They are pretty similar in looks IIRC
But the brake light switch has had many suppersessions and the last one is differnet from the old one
1C0 945 511 A RDW - £7.76 + VAT
That is the new part number and price
Sarah

 

[RikH]

yes
but different enough not to be the same
the clutch switch was slightly larger-the push pin was longer



and a different colour

 

[Big_daddy]

yes
but different enough not to be the same
the clutch switch was slightly larger



and a different colour

The thing is, when i refiited me clutch switch, the piston only pops out about 1cm, gave it a tug and it extened another 2cm. Pressed it and it went back in. Have i broke it? It still makes a click sound when i press it.

 

[NickT]

ok ordered replacement from Ted J's
called the garage and told them it would be coming back, fine with it and will change it over for me-he did say they are adjustable though!!!!!!!!

going to have a look when i get time later on today

I'm not sure the brake switch is adjustable, looking at my old knackered one, if it is it's not obvious. I would have said if either of them were to be adjustable it would be the clutch one.

 

[RikH]

yeh they didnt look adjustable by the one that came off
hence why ive just ordered another one direct from seat

 

[NickT]

FYI (and my curiosity)

GSF Pt. No. for the Brake Light Switch i've got is 93552F, do you know what they sold you?

 

[RikH]

i dont im afraid
the garage who are independant VAG specialist sourced both clutch and brake switches
clutch looked same, brake looked well different
i put it down to new model brake switch but it didnt fit, so they went through their stores and found an exact match to the one that came off

it works, but im not happy with how long it takes/how hard you have to brake for the lights to come on

 

[RikH]

ok *UPDATE*

i ordered the part direct from seat this time
its appeared this morning and it too is the same as the one that came from gsf-in that its green coloured and bigger than the one thats come off. This one when fitted didnt fit...

Cross checked part number with ted j's and it matches the one further above from awesome gti-;
1CO 945 511 A RDW

gaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaadzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

 

[GrayT]

Yes, the uprated ones do look quite different. The original brake switches were notorious for failures. When mine was replaced the Seat mechanic himself thought it must have been wrongly ordered because it looked so different, but after double checking he established it was correct. Fingers crossed, no problems since. They need to be calibrated and they should be fully tested with different brake applications before the car is handed back to you. There is nothing worse than brake lights coming on too late or not at all.

 

[RikH]

sounds like it "should" fit
have to see what happens, ill post up more when its on

what do you mean about it being calibrated and tested with different brake applications???

 

[GrayT]

I'm not 100% sure how they calibrate it (someone will be along to correct me), but I believe the bit with the spring can be twisted to put more or less tension on it?? I don't know if they physically measure the degree of travel before the lights come on. I was just being fancy when I said about different brake applications - I mean testing it in different situations (light gradual braking, light hold at standstill, heavy braking, etc, etc)

 

[RikH]

if anything i could try twisting the existing pin so its more sensitive