Brake light switch.

[richw911]

When reversing my car into my garage the other night i noticed the brake lights were not working 

I checked the bulbs/fuse all were ok so i took out the brake light switch.

After disconnecting the plug i shorted it out and the brake lights worked.

Time for a new switch.

*Note this fault can also put on the EPC light on the dash* And the lights can just stay on all the time!

There are TWO types of switch - 2 pin and 4 pin - Now you could have any type fitted and VW have said that there is NO way of knowing until you remove it.

The older cars generally seem to have the two pin and the newer ones 4 pin.


2 pin = VW part no: 191 945 515 B  £15.93 inc vat

4 pin = VW part no:  1J0 945 511 D (Not sure on price as mine is two pin)

The 4 pin has the most problems and has been superseded many times.

Easy 10 min job to fix.

The switch is located on the brake pedal.

You will need to remove the torx screws from the panel covering the brake pedal. Remove the cover then you just unplug the switch and twist it off.

http://forums.vwvortex.com/zerothread?id=1158315

You can also repair it:

http://www.geocities.com/jason_ettorre/VWBLS/BLS.htm

Just thought this may be of some use to those who use the search button 

[Wazzzer]

will be useful to me at the weekend, cheers mate

[Miggie]

Yeah i remember doing mine a couple of months back....just went to VW to get one...took my reg no. etc and gave me the big green 4pin one. Of course when i got home mine was a 2 pin (AGU)

Also there was an issue when installing the switches where you could break it easily but apparently all switches are now straight forward swap? (correct me if i'm wrong)

Are the green 4pin ones for cars that tell you your brake lights aint working and 2 pin not?

[richw911]

will be useful to me at the weekend, cheers mate

No probs bud   

[richw911]

Yeah i remember doing mine a couple of months back....just went to VW to get one...took my reg no. etc and gave me the big green 4pin one. Of course when i got home mine was a 2 pin (AGU)

Also there was an issue when installing the switches where you could break it easily but apparently all switches are now straight forward swap? (correct me if i'm wrong)

Are the green 4pin ones for cars that tell you your brake lights aint working and 2 pin not?

No the four pins need adjustment see the link 

AFAIK the four pin is for drive by wire cars - if you brake while on the gas it cuts the power - might have something to do with cruise control also 

[webdevkev]

Hi guys, I'm new here (first post actually )

Hope you can help... I've got a mk4 2.0 Golf GTi (03 reg)

I too have both rear brake lights out at the moment, bulbs are fine so I'm thinking brake switch. However, the rear tail brake light works fine and I'd imagine this would be all through the same switch, right?

Tried checking the fuse, but according to my service manual none of the fuses are dedicated to the rear brake lights? Although I'd imagine the rear tail brake light would be on this fuse too, right?

Any ideas? 

Cheers
Kev

[Stronz]

Sticky this me thinks

 

[webdevkev]

Hi Stronz,

How do make this post sticky? Or should I request this through a moderator?

Sorry, I'm new here and learning the ropes  :embarassed:

Thanks,
Kev

[richw911]

Hi guys, I'm new here (first post actually )

Hope you can help... I've got a mk4 2.0 Golf GTi (03 reg)

I too have both rear brake lights out at the moment, bulbs are fine so I'm thinking brake switch. However, the rear tail brake light works fine and I'd imagine this would be all through the same switch, right?

Tried checking the fuse, but according to my service manual none of the fuses are dedicated to the rear brake lights? Although I'd imagine the rear tail brake light would be on this fuse too, right?

Any ideas? 

Cheers
Kev

Try fuse 13 EVEN if it looks ok:

http://www.golfgtiforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=87372.0

Try replacing both bulbs to make sure also 

[webdevkev]

Thanks Rich, I'll try that at the weekend and let you know.

Kev