First, keep the nuts. Save the nuts from the old switch in case you need to use them again for the new installation.
Step 2 is to attach a nut to the switch. Try to align the nut with the original switch’s distance. Place the replacement switch into the bracket after which the second nut should be secured to the other side. To keep them from moving, cinch them down.
You don’t want to strip the nuts, so be careful not to apply too much power when tightening them.
The pedal won’t be able to open and close the circuit properly if the sensor is fitted at the incorrect setting.
Reconnect the battery in step three. Reconnect the wire harness and negative cable to the battery after the replacement switch has been placed.
- Tip: To get the lights to function properly with an older model switch, you might need to move the sensor.
Your new switch ought to be installed, and your brake lights ought to be functional, if you just take your time and are patient. Since the cost of labor for this job is far more than the cost of the parts, replacing this switch yourself will save you a significant sum of money.
Get a qualified technician, like one from YourMechanic, to install the replacement brake light switch for you if you run into any problems, though.
In This Article...
How can you tell if the brake light switch is malfunctioning?
Although brake light switches are made to last as long as your car, they could eventually get broken. If you experience any of these signs, think about changing the broken brake light switch:
Your Brake Lights Don’t Light Up
When you depress the brake pedal, your brake lights should illuminate to alert the driver in front of you.
The back brake lights won’t turn on if your brake switch isn’t working properly, which presents a serious safety risk because the vehicle behind you won’t be aware that you’re slowing down.
Now, this can mean that a brake light bulb in the back has burned out or that your brake light switch is broken. Consider having your car inspected by a mechanic to swiftly identify the problem.
BrakeLights Stay On Continuously
There may be a fault in the electrical circuit inside the rear brake light switch if your brake lights remain on even when you are not pressing the brake pedal.
Drivers behind you may become confused if your brake lights are constantly on even if you may be driving properly since your taillight suggests that you are about to slow down.
Additionally, if your rear brake light is left on all the time, it can quickly drain your car’s battery and harm the brake lamp or bulb.
It’s best to call a repair right away to replace the brake light switch if you have a problem with your brake lights so that no other electrical components are harmed.
Bad Cruise Control
If your car has cruise control, a broken or misaligned brake light switch can turn it off.
The switch for the cruise control and the rear brake lights is frequently shared. Therefore, if the brake lamp switch fails, your cruise control will probably too.
This does not imply that the brake light switch issue is the only reason the cruise control malfunctions. A blown fuse in the electronic control module or a malfunctioning speed sensor might also cause it to occur.
Therefore, get your brake light switch checked by a repair as well when your cruise control is acting up.
Car Won’t Turn On
All you have to do in these cars is depress the brake pedal to start the engine.
If the brake light switch isn’t communicating a precise signal to the vehicle’s computer confirming that the brakes are applied, your car may not start.
When this occurs, contact a mechanic or auto repair agency right away to have your brake light switch replaced.
What damage may a broken brake light switch do?
A broken brake light switch might result in a variety of issues. The gearbox shifter won’t move out of “Park” if the switch is broken, and the brake lights won’t work.
A broken brake light switch can prevent a car with a push-button ignition from starting.
The brake light switch may frequently be stuck or operate erratically. The Check Engine or ABS system warning light may illuminate on the dashboard as a result of this. Brake lights may occasionally turn on or stay on permanently even when the brake pedal is not depressed.
Is AutoZone a brake light switch replacement shop?
Problems with the brake light switch or turn signals A replacement switch can be placed after you check the connection to the switch for corrosion or other problems and buy it at your neighborhood AutoZone.
What is the price of a new brake light switch?
Depending on the make and model of the car, a replacement brake light switch typically ranges in price from $30 to $75. The cost of the repair will normally increase by $80 if the brake light switch needs to be repaired. You can perform a brake fluid replacement on your own.
Where is the switch for the brake lights?
This switch, which is a component of the brake pedal assembly, can be found either under the dashboard or on the firewall next to the pedal lever’s top. Just as it’s important to never ignore these warning automobile sounds, replacing one is simple and occasionally necessary for safety.
Previously, hydraulic pressure in the brake line was used to operate the switch (a system prone to failure). By the end of the 1960s, automakers had switched over to the mechanical brake light switch, which was more dependable. Nowadays, a changeover rarely fails. The main power supply switch for the brake lights can now be operated by a lower-voltage control circuit thanks to the relay used in modern designs. A dependable switching mechanism with a long lifespan is produced by this setup.
When the brake light remains on, what does that mean?
Don’t risk operating the vehicle if you’ve just started it and you see the brake system warning light on.
To begin with, confirm that the parking brake is fully disengaged. Some automobiles have a combined parking brake and braking system warning light. Make sure your parking brake is fully disengaged by checking it and pulling on the release lever. If the dashboard light is still on, your vehicle’s brake system may be malfunctioning and making it difficult for you to stop. Shut off the engine and make plans to have the car delivered to a reliable repair.
Does the switch for the brake lights have a fuse?
It’s unlikely that all three of your brake lights’ separate bulbs have burned out if none of them are functioning. The likelihood that you have an electrical system issue is much higher. Be at ease. It could appear difficult and pricey. Most likely, the electrical system issue is simply a blown brake light system fuse.
As each component of the car’s electrical system is protected by a fuse from amperage overload, the remainder of the car isn’t damaged if one goes out. If the fuse blows, electricity cannot reach the lights, even if everything else is in working order.
The power distribution center, which is either hidden behind the hood or under the dashboard, is where you’ll find the brake light system fuse, as well as all other fuses. The power distribution center is a new concept to you? It is merely another name for a fuse box. Locate the fuse that corresponds to the brake lights using the owner’s manual for your automobile.
For the next step, you must connect a test light (you can get one at any auto parts store). Turn the ignition of your car to the “on” position, take hold of the test light, connect it to a ground source, such as the dash or the car’s body, and gently touch the tester’s tip to each end of the fuse. Now, lightly depress the gas pedal. The test light should be on. If so, the fuse is working properly, and the broken brake light bulb is most likely the source of the issue. However, if the connection is only pressed on one side of the fuse and the test light turns on, the fuse is bad. No matter where the test light is linked to the fuse, if it doesn’t illuminate at all, you must replace the fuse. Verify that the replacement’s amp rating matches that of the original fuse.
But hold on—you’re not done yet! You must retest it after installing a new fuse. If both lights turn on, the fuse is operational, and the issue has been resolved. Be mindful that an electrical problem further up in the system may be indicated by a blown fuse. The replacement fuse will also blow in this scenario, therefore you need get in touch with an electrician to find the precise location of the problem.
When you press the pedal and the new fuse doesn’t light, the circuit is shorted out. That is a more difficult and expensive repair that must be done by a qualified mechanic.
How is a brake switch tested?
You’ve checked the brake light fuse and the brake light bulbs, but the power to those areas is still not working. You should in this case examine the brake light switch. It is a device that joins and completes the electrical circuit for the brake lights in a car. It’s a relatively straightforward two-wire switch, with one wire controlling power coming in and the other controlling power leaving.
The switch, which is close to the brake pedal, is probably marked. Get your test light out once more, and ground it just like you did when you examined the fuses. Place the sensor on just one of the two wires while maintaining a firm grip on the brake pedal. Next, examine the other wire. The test lamps will light up if the switch is functioning properly and the power is connected. The brake light switch needs to be replaced if it doesn’t illuminate. Use the owner’s manual to find the major “power in” and “power out” lines if your switch has a more intricate design with more than two wires. Then, test those wires.
If you try all of these solutions and your brake lights still don’t function, there may be other systems in your car that require inspection. For instance, if your car’s turn signals and brake lights are wired together, you’ll need to check those systems’ fuses. Modern automobiles come equipped with an exclusive “brake light control module,” an integrated computer system, and onboard diagnostic scans to identify any issues.
Generally speaking, repairing a car’s brake lights is simple, but there are times when you should seek the advice of a qualified mechanic. It’s crucial to get those lights fixed as quickly as possible, whatever your car needs.
Can a malfunctioning switch for the brake lights drain the battery?
Brake lights that stay on at all times are one of the signs that a brake light switch is broken. The brake lights may continue to illuminate even when the brake pedal is not depressed if the brake light switch internally shorts. As a result, the brake lights will burn out earlier than they should and the battery may experience parasitic drain.