anthonym Posted September 11, 2002 Share Posted September 11, 2002 My brake lights come on only when much pressure is put on the pedal. I can't find any obvious switch, so where should I explore? Cosworth 1700 BDR Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark H Posted September 11, 2002 Share Posted September 11, 2002 I have the exact same problem, i don,t think its adjustable though but i hope to be proved wrong anyone no how to do it 🤔 the more i knock off the faster it gets ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RodW Posted September 11, 2002 Share Posted September 11, 2002 I seem to recall that on mr car (2001 Roadsport) the brake light switch is in the pedal box. I think it can be adjusted slightly by moving the lock nuts along the threaded section of the switch body relative to the part of the pedal that pushes onto it. Not a very good explanation, but I'm sure that if you take the top of the pedal box to have a look inside all will become apparent. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark H Posted September 11, 2002 Share Posted September 11, 2002 Rodw that won,t work for me mines a 88 de dion old spec pedal set up with the presure switch in the line ☹️ the more i knock off the faster it gets ! Edited by - Marc Hicks on 11 Sep 2002 23:17:22 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scooby dooby doo Posted September 11, 2002 Share Posted September 11, 2002 the later ones certainly have it in the pedal box which may help anthonym. its a fairly obvious thing about an inche long with a psring loaded sensor touching the back of the pedal. easy to adjust the plastic (ithink) lock nuts to move it to suit. Marc - is it a presure switch or an inertia switch 🤔 I've heard tell of both in sevens but never seen or known one. just curious... HOOPY R706KGU CYCLE WINGS AEROSCREEN K SERIES CUCUMBER Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark H Posted September 11, 2002 Share Posted September 11, 2002 Presure i belive Hoopy should,nt think mines inertia , its mounted at the wrong angle to be one of those Still can,t see Nifty in my mirrors ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AMMO Posted September 12, 2002 Share Posted September 12, 2002 Mark You can get brake light switches for motorcycles which consist of a body with a spring sticking out which is the actuator. You could attach this somewhere inside your pedal box with the spring linked to the pedal and wire it into the existing loom. The only reason the actuator is a spring is to allow for over-travel of the pedal. Hope I've explained this OK. I've heard that the in line hydraulic switch is prone to getting tired. A local Seven owner says he changes his quite often. I've also been told by people following me that my brake lights hardly ever come on. I might go down the motorcycle switch route. If anyone interested I can a few in. I don't think they are that expensive, only a few quid. AMMO Edited by - Ammo on 12 Sep 2002 07:02:55 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jf_renard Posted September 12, 2002 Share Posted September 12, 2002 Hello. On my 1990 1600BDR, the brake lights switch is a pressure sensitive one. And I understand it can be more or less sensitive, getting more and more tired with time passing by (like each of us ) Can't see any adjusting device. The mechanical motorcycle switch seems to be clever: simple and adjustable. Jeff Cosworth 1600 BDR Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anthonym Posted September 12, 2002 Author Share Posted September 12, 2002 thanks everyone, including Nigel from New Zealand (that was a surprise!) it seems I have the hydraulic number which LOOKS easy to replace. Questions is this: will removal of the existing switch allow brake fluid to escape and will I have to bleed the brakes if this happens? I am wondering if this is a five minute job or something longer, in which case the motorcycle switch idea becomes attrractive. Also: how do I identify the part to parts suppliers? Keep your distance if you are behind me! Anthony 1987 Cosworth 1700 BDR Live axle body - dedion back end. Apparently. Edited by - anthonym on 12 Sep 2002 13:12:19 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark H Posted September 12, 2002 Share Posted September 12, 2002 Ammo im interested in your bike switch fix im not that far away so i could pop over anytime that suits you. cheers Marc Still can,t see Nifty in my mirrors ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark H Posted September 12, 2002 Share Posted September 12, 2002 Whoops double post Still can,t see Nifty in my mirrors ! Edited by - Marc Hicks on 12 Sep 2002 16:10:06 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anthonym Posted September 12, 2002 Author Share Posted September 12, 2002 OK, I fixed it with a switch that when released by the brake pedal, activates the brake lights - so avoiding question of switch travel having to at least match brake pedal travel. I'll replace the pressure switch at next brak bleed time to maintain originality - and then keep this new switch in situ for next time. Anthony 1987 Cosworth 1700 BDR Live axle body - dedion back end. Apparently. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AMMO Posted September 14, 2002 Share Posted September 14, 2002 Marc I'll phone some friends who run a bike spares place today. They should have them in stock. I'll get a couple in for us to try out. AMMO Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark H Posted September 15, 2002 Share Posted September 15, 2002 Ok , e mail me when you want im at home alot at the moment ☹️ trying hard to keep it between the hedges ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan L Posted April 29, 2003 Share Posted April 29, 2003 Hi Anthonym, I seem to have a similar to yours. Searching I found this post. I to have a 1700BDR with the brake light sensor as part of the braking circuit. I cleaned up the connections to the sensor and the brake light worked better but I do need to put what I would call firm pressure on the brake peddle for the lights to come on. Did you get round to replacing the sensor. I was assuming the system would need to be beld to do this so would be interested how you got on. Also was it easy to source the part? Alan and his Yellow and Green BDR. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pierson Broome Posted April 29, 2003 Share Posted April 29, 2003 Alan, The pressure brake switch used in the older layout where it is part of the in-line system is a Lucas part (sorry, I can't recall the number) and is generally available - certainly from Caterham, but I also suspect that you'd pick one up at most motor factors, even Halfords. You might perhaps want to try someone like James Whiting whom I'm sure will have one. It can be replaced without bleeding the brakes, but you have to be quick swopping the old and the new units - it is threaded and simply screws in. I've done it successfully once and cocked it up totally on another occasion... As a precaution, I'd suggest doing it properly and bleeding the brakes anyway - not worth the risk IMHO. They don't seem to 'last' very long, their efficacy deteriorates over time - but it's a cheap part and easy to change. Good luck, Pierson Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CHRIS TODD Posted April 29, 2003 Share Posted April 29, 2003 I had the same problem on my 82 vitage a short while ago. Bought a new pressure switch from Redline for next to nothing and fitted without bleeding in 30 secs Problem cured and no loss of pressure Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hippy Crippy Posted April 29, 2003 Share Posted April 29, 2003 Hi, i do believe that old mini's used to have a similar system and after bleeding the brakes you sometimes didn't get any brake lights. This was due to a small pocket of air resting under the switch. The cure was: remove the switch, replace quickly and bob's your uncle - air gone - brake lights work. Maybe worth a try. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anthonym Posted April 29, 2003 Author Share Posted April 29, 2003 gosh, this thread still alive! well it is now nearly May 2003 and my Sept 2002 "fix" is still working perfectly, brake lights are either on or off (which I like). At the moment my feeling is stuff the hydraulic switch. I don't like my on/off electrics being mixed in with my variable pressure hydraulics. So my bodge is now official and no messing with brake fluid. THANK YOU to the original suggestion person - I think it was a motorbike idea, but I just picked a suitable looking switch from the catalogue at a motor factors shop (In S Ireland) as it happens. Off a VW or something. Anthony Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan L Posted April 30, 2003 Share Posted April 30, 2003 Found myself @ James Whiting today to get some parts so picked up a new switch (£6.99 +vat). Replaced in about 5 minutes. And hey brake lights !! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrisb Posted August 20, 2003 Share Posted August 20, 2003 Its great to have the search back on!! Just experienced the same problem. The brake lights have stopped working. Have traced it back to the pressure sensor switch. (Multimeter over switch while pumping brake pedal) I have just changed the rear pads, and wondered if this might have affected the switch. So I will get a new one, and see what happens. My question (car is at home, I am at work) are all the switched the same, or does anybody have a part number? Thanks Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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