Brake light switch

[weddingjags]

Has anyone found a reliable brake light switch or a work around to replace them? The switch on my car fails every year and I replace it and slowly but surely it fails. From what I can find on the web it is generally accepted that modern replacements are poor quality. I have also read about wiring a relay into the circuit. Any experiences out there?

[piman]

Hello Weddingjags,

unless you can find a good second hand switch, (the originals seemed to last for a very long time) another option is to fit a switch to the brake pedal. Here's a link to show one that Triumph use:- http://www.chriswitor.com/search.php Obviously you will need to make and fix a suitable bracket and extend the wiring to suit.

Whether the spare new switches will be reliable if a relay is fitted is worth looking at? It would be simpler than fitting a brake pedal switch as it can be fitted local to the the brake line switch and just needs a minor wiring alteration, but is working on the assumption that the current switch contacts are too weak and not some other problem with them?

Alec

[weddingjags]

Thanks Alec,

I have considered fitting a switch to the pedal but as a last resort. I have found what is claimed to be a genuine Jaguar, made in England brake light switch which I have ordered and will give a try. I guess next stop will be the relay and if that doesn't work I will fit a switch to the pedal.

I am surprised that more people haven't raised this issue on the forum. I also have a Daimler 250 which I have owned for around 5 years and had to fit a new switch to it last year. That one seems to be holding out well.

I just wish pattern part manufacturers upped their quality and charged a bit more, I would rather pay more for a reliable long lasting component than save a few pounds on a piece of junk.

[piman]

Hello Weddingjags,

good luck with the replacement.

"I just wish pattern part manufacturers upped their quality and charged a bit more, I would rather pay more for a reliable long lasting component than save a few pounds on a piece of junk."

Exactly and I see that view echoed in various forums, rubber items in particular do not seem to last very long now, but electrical items also leave a lot to be desired?

Alec