Brake Lights

[JAZ 34]

Hi Guys,

Wonder if someone can help. I press the brake pedal lightly and the brake lights do not come on. In fact they only come on after about 3/4 of the pedal is depressed. I know there is not a lot of movement in the brake pedal but a neighbour pointed out to me tonight that my brake lights were not working when I arrived at a T Junction. The brakes are working well but the lights only come on after heavy pressure to the pedal.

Thanks,

JAZ 34

[Ash M400]

This happened to me.

I would not class this as normal.

I can not remember entirely but I think there is some adjustment in the pedal that should cure it. I had mine done at the factory.

Hope this at least puts your mind at rest if not giving you a complete answer.

[mc101]

from memory theres an adjuster under the brake pedal -- takes 2 mins to do...

[NobleSteed]

The adjuster is a bit awkward to get to. If you look at where the brake prdal connects to the brake master cylinder linkage, which is a pin going through the brake bedal with an R pin retaining it situated about 20 cm above the brake pedal rubber you are in the right area. The adjuster switch is about 3 cm below the pin on the steering wheel side of the brake pedal. It is a plastic cylinder which is threaded and has two plastic nuts on it, one either side of the metal mounting bracket. To adjust 'when' the brake light comes on it is this switch that must be moved forward or backwards relative to its mounting bracket. Move the switch towards the front of the car to make the brake lights come on later (ie with more pedal travel) and move backwards for the lights to come on earlier.
Don't rotate the cylinder in its mount, loosen one nut first to allow the cylinder to move the way you want then tighten the other nut.
The brake light should illuminate with a slight pedal movement. Do a final check with the engine running as the pedal travel is different when the brake servo is working.
Regards
Richard

[JAZ 34]

Guys, Am I in the right area?

http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v34





>> Edited by JAZ 34 on Tuesday 18th April 19:52

[worty]

JAZ 34 said:

Guys, Am I in the right area?

Probably not !

[JAZ 34]

Funny! picture was here earlier on?

Got it sorted though. To adjust the brake light setting, the nuts either need to be moved closer to the pedal for less pedal movement to allow the lights to come on or further away from the pedal, for more pedal movement to allow the lights to come on.

Thanks to the factory (Tony) who took the time and trouble to call me today.

JAZ 34

[plipton]

I'm glad I read this thread - I checked my brake lights today and they only came on with quite a bit of pressure (i.e. hardly ever)

The adjustment was a 2 minute job. Now they come on just before the point the brakes start to bite but still need about 5mm of travel on the pedal to operate so no chance of lighting up over a few bumps (I hope)

Ta for the tip all.

Plipton

[JAZ 34]

No problems.

Being a fat boy, I had real difficulty getting down onto the footwell and using both hands. Of course, what did I do? wound the nuts away from the pedal for a start. It was like an aerobic's session after I had finished!

JAZ 34