Crappy brake switch D1

[Busted_D1]

So we all know the brake switch that is triggered by the brake pedal arm is a bad design. I have used land rover parts as well as a couple from Oreilly, they have all failed with in a year or so.

Has anyone had any luck with a particular brand of these? Delco, BWD, Master pro etc.

I did figure out one of the design flaws that causes these things to fail. The male pins on my last one are not soldered to the contacts inside the switch, they are pressed in and if you move the plug just a little it pulls those little pressed bastards out of their seats.

At this point I'm not that worried about getting a low cost one, just one that lasts.

 

[German Gr?ner]

One mate's Disco had once problems with this switch, but we opened it, and assembled again worked ok. The problem came when he connected a trailer. Are you using only the original brake bulbs?

Regards

 

[Busted_D1]

The bulbs are the proper amp rating and the switch is not getting any sort of unusual arc that would cause it to fail, even with my trailer attached. The 4 contacts inside are all nice and shiny.

It has always been the four male pins (on the last 3). I just drilled them out and soldered wires directly to the contact points. I've been driving on it that way for a couple months now.

I just want to get the right part in there, instead of running trails with a home made POS like that. I did get an OEM switch (with the BMW logo) from Dennis at LinDen Eng. I can say that the OEM one feels much more solid and not as cheap and sloppy as the aftermarket ones.

 

[Busted_D1]

BTW anyone know how to set the seal on my alpine window... I couldn't find any threads on this issue. :rofl:

 

[ptschram]

I don't know why you've had such problems with brake ligth switches. I had two go in a week and haven't had a problem in ten years on my DI.

As for the alpine windows, put the seal in the roof, slide the glass in as much as you can. Using a plastic putty knife or pry bar, gently lift the seal and smear lots of tire lube or dish soap around and go slowly.

 

[Busted_D1]

Thanks PT, I guess the ones I was buying were just shit quality, hit or miss I suppose.

The alpine window reference was in light of the 40 identical threads on the same "panoramic window" subject last night.