rnln

Let me start with brake light. My brake light works but doesn't work correctly. To be correctly, when you start steping on the brake pedal, brake light should come on right away. On my car, the lights don't come on until the brake pedal hit all the way to the dead end. Which means, 80%-90% of the time I am driving (normal), brake light won't come on.
Anyone know where the brake switch located? I think it must has something to do with the brake switch.

Now, reverse light. My car has no reverse light at all, since the day I bought it. That's why I can't reverse the car in front of the cop .
I took the lenses off, wires are still there and look like in good shape. It must be, again, a switch or any device which suppose to kick the light on. Anyone know where I should look for it?
Thanks.


__________________

J. Brinkley

did someone before you replace the the master cyl?.

emac

Your brake switch is located on the master cyl. which is located in the trunk against the firewall right in front of the steering wheel. There are two switches and unlike a regular car our P car uses pressure to activate the switch. I would suggest replacing both of them. Be advised that once you do this you may have the break light on inside of your car. Disconnect your battery for a few minutes and that problem will go away. As far as the reverse light goes I dont think mine ever worked. I know that my license plate lights are on but as far as reverse lights go I gave up. As far as the cop goes a Porsche should always be going forward!! Good luck.

Ernie 81 SC

rnln

Oh ok, So they are on the brake cylinder, next to the booster.
I hav no idea if anyone replace the cylinder before I bought the car.

Reagrds emac said "the switches are activated by pressure", that's means replacing fluid MIGHT make the diff, if my brake pressure is weak, right?

Anyone know best place to get it? thanks.
Is it this?

scottb

You can buy the parts at www.pelicanparts.com. Your local AutoZone might have them with a VW part number.

Change the switches before you go to the hassle of flushing your brake fluid. Most of the time that will solve your problem. There are two switches, and you should do them both. The rearward one is a PITA to get out, but it's do-able. On a scale of 1-5, 5 being the hardest, this job is about a 2.

ked

I don't know Pelican's price, but I paid $5 ea. at the local VW specialist. It had the same (VW) part # on the box as for part # 23 in the posted picture.

emac

RNLN
Remember that you are the one that asked the questions and now it seems that you are getting a little smart in your replys. The switches are not located on the brake cylinder, they are on the master cylinder. There are alot of great people on this board and more information that one could ever use in a lifetime. Just try to listen and change out the two switches. And yes the photo attached is the switch. Make sure you buy the correct number of pole switch.

Ernie 81 SC

rnln

Thank you so much guys. Lot of info.

emac,
I don't really understand your first sentence. Yes, I mixed up the word master cylinder and brake cylinder but I think I can picture where it is.
Anyway, thanks.
Gotta dig in there to count the pole first.
And thanks all very much. I'll try autozone first.

rnln

Thanks very much for responding me with so much info. I found the switches.
Another question I have right now, not related, that is anyone know a good shop in OC (CA) to do this job? I mean good as ok and reasonable, not good and super good and charge super high. I am not rich.
The reason why is because I think I need 2 people to do this job, as bleeding the brake fluid. I affraid if I take the switch off without anyone pushing on the pedal, air will go into the system and instead of repairing the problem, I am actually making it worse. I bleed brakes many times in my life but with this car, my wife can not handle the brake pedal. It's too heavy for her.
Thanks.
PS: how much, proximately, they will charge for this job? Thanks.

scottb

You don't need to bleed the system when you replace the master cylinder switches. Just remove the old ones one at a time, and install the new ones. Don't let anyone step on the pedals while you have the old switches out. On a scale of one-to-ten, this job is a two or three. It's not difficult, and if you have any DIY skills you can probably do it yourself.

rnln

scottb ,
No need to step pn the brake pedal?
I thought someone told the the pedal should be depress so that air should not entered. Are you sure I can swap them without depressing the pedal and no air comes in? I just affraid it happen and my brake will be sloppy
Thanks

emac

Trust Scott
When I replaced my two I got about three drops of fluid from each switch. The rear one is the hardest. You will have to remove some duct work which is easy in order to get to the rear switch. Others have said that you must bleed the brakes I did not and have never had any issues. The job took me about forty minutes to complete.

Ernie 81 SC

scottb

Trust Ernie! He took the words right out of my mouth.

rnln

hehe... this is more than enough. Thanks much guys.
I think I read about steping ont he pedal a little while swaping them, from the pelican board. I'll try it myself maybe this weekends. Worse case, let ie sleep for max a week, for the bleed job. But I can trust 2 people.
Thanks.

RoninLB

The master's orifice may get dirty or plugged.