Amazon: worthwhile €10 brake upgrade

[redcar]

I've been through loads of hydraulic switches for my brake lights and coming into winter I started getting nervous about driving around without effective brake lights.

I think the simplest upgrade is to upgrade to an electric switch, which comes on the moment you touch the brake pedal.

I first went here.. cbsonline

then nipped down to B&Q and picked up one of these.. B&Q

I found one that had a 45 degree bend in it, which was great. I then cut and drilled the bracket to fit. Then disconnected the 2 wires from the hydraulic switch and extended the wire to under the dash. Plugged in my new switch and now enjoy immediate brake lights.

2 hour job from start to finish, only because my first bracket was too complicated. The 2nd one took about 10 minutes.

It's not pretty, but who cares when its under the dash and saving your backside?

Ps, whilst i was ordering from CBS, i bought a high level brakelight too. not fitted yet, but another worthwhile upgrade...

happy motoring folks..

[classicswede]

Its a good way of resolving the problem on the older pedal box. The later box is ready to take the switch, I normal use a switch off a 240 so works out close to zero cost to do yourself.

[lowflier]

Hi having read your tip and being in the same situation, i've now installed mine what ampage wire is needed to extend the wires from the hydraulic switch to the new electronic one please.

[redcar]

hi, i'd say 10 amp would be sufficient. anything greater than the fuse it hooks up to.

[Notlob]

Originally Posted by redcar

I've been through loads of hydraulic switches for my brake lights

Agree about the replacement hydraulic switches. I'm currently running at one a year so like the look of this as a relatively easy "to do" solution.

Cheers
Dave

[jimbo1593]

Fabbing up your own bracket is the easiest if your car isn't late enough to have the volvo bracket.
Volvo brackets seem rare anyway.
I think I would leave my fluid switch in parallel anyhow just incase the pedla switch fails or loses adjustment.

[ranjit200]

Originally Posted by classicswede

Its a good way of resolving the problem on the older pedal box. The later box is ready to take the switch, I normal use a switch off a 240 so works out close to zero cost to do yourself.

hi, could you please possibly upload the image and details on how the 240 brake switch is mounted.

ranjit

[ranjit200]

hello to all,

I am also facing problem with the hydraulic brake light switch. I have replaced several times from brooks but with no good results. Have to press the pedal very hard for the lights to work.

Very grateful to " redcar " to post this vital details with the image on how the switch is mounted. This will prevent accidents.

Grateful to all members for sharing knowhow and passing on information to many members.

Wondering if " jimbo1593 " has connected the mechanical switch parallel to hyraulic one if possible please upload the photo.

I have ordered this mechanical switch and also have decided to mount parallel as " jimbo1593 " suggested. Is it necessary to change the fuse? other than using 10 amps wire.

Hoping " classicswede " will upload the photo on how the volvo 240 brake switch is mounted.

ranjit

[Burdekin]

Ron Kwas does a write up on his Swedish Embassy website on a upgrade, might help.

[jimbo1593]

Not done the mod yet its on my list. I will actually be changing the MC for a Mazda RX7 one so that I can get dual circuit brakes but mainatin the vertical MC config. This will involve fitting the pedal switch and a retainer so the pushrod can't fall out.

You won't need a bigger fuse as they are just switches so don;t increase load.