Electrics: 70: - Brake light switch

capt jack · Feb 20th, 2024, 21:29

Another week another issue with the S70.

This time the brake lights were noticeably lacking in illumination, so on Sunday morning it was time to have a closer look.

For those who've never looked, the brake light switch is quite a clever little self-adjusting device, hidden at the top of the pedal bracket, just behind the cruise control brake switch - which has to be removed in order to access the brake light switch.

It's not that easy to remove - Haynes covers it, and once you get the orientation it does come away - but it's a challenge.

The beauty of Volvo switches of the 1990s is that they are extremely well made, and it's perfectly possible to take them to bits, clean up the contacts and put it all back together again. And that's exactly what I managed to do.

Partsforvolvo online don't list a switch for the S70, and the only one that looked a possibility was up for £40 on Ebay, or £100 from the US.

Fingers crossed that the rejuvenated switch will do another 26 years now, but if not, at least I know how to remove it from the car!

Jack

bob12 · Feb 21st, 2024, 15:29

Yes, couldn't agree more ..... they are an 'amusing' little switch!

When I got my V70 3 years ago the stop lights were constantly on and you had to remove the fuse to turn them off. Clearly something was up with the switch as the circuit is premanently live. Fuse 15 comes to mind.

The car is an auto with cruise control and starting with no knowledge I found that both the cruise conrtol and the brake light switches are mounted one above the other on the auto pedal as there's no clutch pedal. Naturally, the lower of the two was the brake light switch which was virtually obscured by the cruise control switch immediately above it.

Due to its location it's a very awkward switch to set up for an old guy but, all you need is a block of wood to hold the pedal down clear of the switch to be able to open the switch if you need to remove it and to release the pedal gently when setting the switch up.

To start with I couldn't work out how to attack the switch but then discovered with a light and large mirror in the footwell and, kneeling outside the car without bending much you could see through the steel tubing around steering wheel directly at the switch (amazing!) and could then set the switch up by feel!

Fortunately, I didn't have to remove the switch completely as after re-setting it the swich and lights were OK. For some unknown reason the set up position had moved causing the problem. It has now worked faultlessly for3 years.

Not knowing anything about the switch I found the attached link the most helpful (it's a little slow to start). Also, Pelican Parts of the USA have a good guide with photos on their website.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mDkV6LW9xAc

Bob

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Feb 20th, 2024, 21:29	#1
capt jack VOC Member Last Online: Apr 20th, 2024 18:56 Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Selby, North Yorkshire	Brake light switch Another week another issue with the S70. This time the brake lights were noticeably lacking in illumination, so on Sunday morning it was time to have a closer look. For those who've never looked, the brake light switch is quite a clever little self-adjusting device, hidden at the top of the pedal bracket, just behind the cruise control brake switch - which has to be removed in order to access the brake light switch. It's not that easy to remove - Haynes covers it, and once you get the orientation it does come away - but it's a challenge. The beauty of Volvo switches of the 1990s is that they are extremely well made, and it's perfectly possible to take them to bits, clean up the contacts and put it all back together again. And that's exactly what I managed to do. Partsforvolvo online don't list a switch for the S70, and the only one that looked a possibility was up for £40 on Ebay, or £100 from the US. Fingers crossed that the rejuvenated switch will do another 26 years now, but if not, at least I know how to remove it from the car! Jack

Feb 21st, 2024, 15:29	#2
bob12 bob12 Last Online: Apr 25th, 2024 11:19 Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Woking	Yes, couldn't agree more ..... they are an 'amusing' little switch! When I got my V70 3 years ago the stop lights were constantly on and you had to remove the fuse to turn them off. Clearly something was up with the switch as the circuit is premanently live. Fuse 15 comes to mind. The car is an auto with cruise control and starting with no knowledge I found that both the cruise conrtol and the brake light switches are mounted one above the other on the auto pedal as there's no clutch pedal. Naturally, the lower of the two was the brake light switch which was virtually obscured by the cruise control switch immediately above it. Due to its location it's a very awkward switch to set up for an old guy but, all you need is a block of wood to hold the pedal down clear of the switch to be able to open the switch if you need to remove it and to release the pedal gently when setting the switch up. To start with I couldn't work out how to attack the switch but then discovered with a light and large mirror in the footwell and, kneeling outside the car without bending much you could see through the steel tubing around steering wheel directly at the switch (amazing!) and could then set the switch up by feel! Fortunately, I didn't have to remove the switch completely as after re-setting it the swich and lights were OK. For some unknown reason the set up position had moved causing the problem. It has now worked faultlessly for3 years. Not knowing anything about the switch I found the attached link the most helpful (it's a little slow to start). Also, Pelican Parts of the USA have a good guide with photos on their website. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mDkV6LW9xAc Bob .

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