Brake light switch

[Gordo]

I have a 73 series rover (hybrid) with an original booster and a new 109 M/C. I hear the booster leaking a bit so I know it needs to be replaced, but it is just a trail rig mostly so I dont worry much about it. My problem is that it keeps killing brake light switches. Ive bought two new ones from Trevor at Rovafarm (lucas) and they never seem to work right and then die in no time. I did some research and found a NAPA one that was supposed to fit but it is a hydraulic switch not a button switch. Just wondering if anyone knew of any alternatives. I may just put a hydraulic switch inline but Id prefer something easier. Gordo

 

[Leslie]

Interesting..... I had one of the Lucas ones from Trevor die, too. The first one worked fine, but quit. The second one has been fine so far, no problems (knock on wood). NAPA couldn't find anything close (I usually try to locate an alternative before having to order something specific). Advance found some that might have worked, but would have required retapping the hole for a larger diameter, and I didn't want to go that route.

 

[apg]

Several years ago, I too tried to find something that might work - without success. The closest I came was a mechanical switch for a VW, but it required re-tapping the threads, so I didn't bother. This is one of the few parts that seems to be Series-specific.

BTW, the Series III switch has a very narrow operational range...something like a half-turn between working correctly and not.

Cheers

 

[greenmeanie]

I just tried to buy one from British Pacific and they wouldn't sell it to me. Their word was that there is a bad batch or something because they have been failing all over the place and they are trying to deal with all the returns. THey don't want to sell any more out of their current stock until they can get a new batch in.

 

[Gordo]

Ah that must be it. I found a list of three alternatives online but only Napa still carried the part number and like I mentioned it was a hydraulic switch. Yesterday I went to Advance auto and they let me run through the shelves. I found one that was close but it didnt fit the hole either and I didnt want to tap it out either. I hooked it up and realized it operated opposite from the rover one. (when the brake is pushed it pops the button out and the brake light comes on). Anyway, I made a small bracket to hold it to the frontside of the pedal using a pedal box bolt, and pulled the wires through the dash and walla brake lights. Only cost me 10 bucks, but I wouldnt want it in a show truck! Gordo