Brake lights/switch question.

[Sleepy172]

I often use cars behind as a check whether my brake lights work or not. You can usually see the lights reflecting back.

Earlier I tried a gentle touch to my brakes and nothing. I have to press the brake peddle quite a way before the lights will actually come on. My past cars have only required the slightest touch to the pedal.



Is this common, does the switch need adjusting, or am I just making a mountain out of a mole hill?

Its an 03 172 BTW.

 

[Daz]

Hmm, I only have to touch my brakes slightly for the light to come on - Mk1 tho! I can do it lightly so I can feel some braking and nolights, but a touch more, the lights come on..

 

[Sleepy172]

Blinked and theres a reply!

I deffo have to push it a fair way, which would equate to some reasonable braking before the lights come on.



Ill take it to Renault Minute in the morning.



Cheers for the quick reply.

 

[Daz]

Yea, probably switch.. if you are braking quite a bit (i.e. you can feel it slowing down quite a bit) I would say thats unsafe and not meant to happen..

 

[CraigM]

I noticed mine didnt come on when the pedal is only lightly pressed - I can actually hold the car on a slight slope without getting the brake lights on.

I took it back to the dealer who told me it thats how its supposed to be and all Clios are all like that.

 

[Sleepy172]

Weird!

Ill see what RM tell me tomorrow.

 

[Daz]

How is it "safe" and "Supposed to be that way" that you can slow your car down, quickly on the brakes, without warning people behind?

Yaknow this "Show people behind the brake lights but not brake!".. Do Renault just think this isnt needed? Heh.

 

[CraigM]

I dont know how it is supposed to be safe - but thats Renault for you.

It is quite annoying that you cant just tap the brake pedal when there is some tit 2 inches off the back bumper.

The only reason I can think of for the switch not coming on right away is if its used for the ABS or brake assist - although I could be talking rubbish......

 

[Jonathan]

I went to the dealer with this. Tech bloke reversed it upto another car, quick tweak in the footwell and a look over his shoulder and it was set perfect.

 

[paddymph]

mines okay?

and jonathon, whats this? 2 posts in a week?!! wow!

 

[Jonathan]

Lol Paddy, I know, Im not sure if I can keep this up ! but 130 odd posts is just plain embarrassing

 

[Black Fox]

The switch just needs adjusting, its a 5 minute job.

 

[Sleepy172]

Took it into Minute, unfortunately they only had one mechanic in, so they couldnt look at it today. Will pop in first thing Monday morning. (giz a job!)

Also looked at the pedal and switch, it does seem that the plunger is somewhat sticky as it comes out in its own time, not when the pedal is pressed....... Hope theyve a spare in stock!

 

[Sleepy172]

Aaarrrggghhhh!!!

So I took the car back to Minute this morning. As always very friendly and very helpful, but...... there is no way the switch can be adjusted....! (I agree!) So it was suggested I take the car to Fish Bros to find out if the switch can be replaced under warranty, then Minute would do it for me......

*shudder*

So I pop across to FB. Naturally no one can look at it there and then so the car would have to be booked it.... (Am I expecting too much to just have a few minutes with a mechanic?) We may have to bleed your brakes and the technician may have to test drive the car? What? Its a brake switch, you only need a mirror!

just because its a sporty car, doesnt mean theyll rag it - Quote.

Just because its a customers car doesnt mean they wont - Retort.

Sounds like they dont like Minute doing warranty work either!



Maybe its me... Maybe I expect too much.......

Anyway, Ill give Bridges a go..........

 

[Sleepy172]

Okay, so Ive been to Bridges of Cirencester and Im amazed!

Right, no fault found, which backs up some of the claims here. Im not totally convinced so Ill probably file some of the switch away to make it come on sooner, but the customer relations was excellent!

They asked if I wanted to wait as theyd try to slot me in, no problems. Gave me a coffee while I waited, were polite, courteous and showed a genuine interest! Not only that, but other customers sounded happy! Yeah, happy customers at a Renault dealer!

*Sleepy faints*

But it doesnt stop there. They washed and hoovered the car for me!!!!

*Sleepy faints again*

Well chuffed!

So its now booked in for another warranty job, one that a more local garage had claimed to have fixed, but hadnt and they will have a courtesy car for me, unlike......!

Sleepys a happy chappy with a big THUMBS UP for Bridges!

 

[SOAPSUDS]

Ive this probs with me rear brake lights and was going to go to Ren Leics to check but have soon forgot bout it.

It need to go down quite far for the lights to illuminate

Ill give Ren Leics a mis cause they still not got back to us over 2.5wks ago

 

[clio__chris]

wow look i can use the search........ lol

does anyone know what you actually have to do?? mine isnt "sticky" but i really have to be breaking pretty hard for the brake lights to come on

 

[bmh.01]

Well theres no way to adjust the switch as said and all three of the Mk2s i've had have all been the same really. Short of modifiying the switch so its shorter and comes on early theres nothing you can do.

 

[clio__chris]

oh sod that then ill just leave it and brake later

 

[Monkey_beast_182]

Mine did the same. took it into the Renault garage and they replaced my brake light switch - did it under warrenty.

MB_182