172, Brakes / Brake light takes a while to light?

[Jackson172]

2002 172

My brake pedal is quite stiff, the brakes are good -

I noticed when slowing down with traffic behind me, I will slightly brake gently as I come to a stop -

The rear brakes lights dont seem to glow though unless I press quite harder? Even though when i do slow down the brakes are braking!

Say the brake pedal travels 100mm, I can press a good 20mm and feel the car slow...yet the lights dont glow until i get to about 30mm pressed down?!

 

[A19 CUP]

i have noticed this on mine aswell

 

[portal172]

same here...

 

[Mike@Rentech]

brake light switch needs adjusting, have a look at the brake pedal and look up, you will see the switch for adjustment.

 

[Jackson172]

Well done mike your a star! im from C-Side check your PM's when you get time!

 

[Jackson172]

Welllllllll

Had a look, see the black plunger/switch which activates the brake lights when the pedal is pressed...

yet cant see any adjustment, no nuts, knurled bits at all!

I guess you must just have to pull it away from its cradle 1mm or 2mm...but cant see how.

any tips? thanks

 

[JAY172]

press the brake pedal down,put a feeler blade probably about 1mm between the switch and the pedal. as the pedal comes up it will adjust the switch in automatically by 1mm or whatever thickness blade you've used. repeat until your happy with when the brake lights work. if you go to far just pull the centre of the switch out,you will feel it pull out on a ratchet type idea then readjust it.

 

[Jackson172]

Ahh that sounds more like it, will try that next!

 

[Jackson172]

Tried that, but to no joy?

used a 1mm blade, thought it fixed, drove but it was the same

used my finger just to see if i could push the plunger in more...and i felt it stop...but didnt do any adjustment?!

**also, while doing so, noticed the switch has a white plastic wire connector with 2 wires...and taped with it is a black connector?! black connector has 2 wires but is hanging/taped to loom**? is that normal?

 

[rmccardal]

I hate this switch.