Brake Light Switch: Service and Repair

REMOVAL

WARNING: TO AVOID PERSONAL INJURY OR DEATH, ON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AIRBAGS, DISABLE THE SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM BEFORE ATTEMPTING ANY STEERING WHEEL, STEERING COLUMN, AIRBAG, SEAT BELT TENSIONER, OR INSTRUMENT PANEL COMPONENT DIAGNOSIS OR SERVICE. DISCONNECT AND ISOLATE THE BATTERY NEGATIVE (GROUND) CABLE, THEN WAIT TWO MINUTES FOR THE SYSTEM CAPACITOR TO DISCHARGE BEFORE PERFORMING FURTHER DIAGNOSIS OR SERVICE. THIS IS THE ONLY SURE WAY TO DISABLE THE SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM. FAILURE TO TAKE THE PROPER PRECAUTIONS COULD RESULT IN ACCIDENTAL AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT.

1. Disconnect and isolate the battery negative cable.

Brake Lamp Switch Location:

2. Locate the brake lamp switch on the pedal bracket underneath the instrument panel.

Brake Lamp Switch Remove/Install:

3. Depress the locking tab on the brake lamp switch body behind the pedal bracket and rotate the switch counterclockwise about 30 degrees.
4. Pull the switch forward in the vehicle far enough to disengage the switch plunger from the mounting hole in the pedal bracket.
5. Disconnect the vehicle wire harness from the brake lamp switch connector receptacle.
6. Remove the brake lamp switch from the vehicle.

INSTALLATION
1. Pull the plunger of the brake lamp switch outward from the switch body to its travel limit.
2. Reconnect the vehicle wire harness to the brake lamp switch connector receptacle.
3. Depress and hold the brake pedal in the depressed position until the brake lamp switch installation is completed.
4. Insert the brake lamp switch plunger through the mounting hole from behind until the switch locking collar is fully seated against the pedal bracket.
5. Rotate the brake lamp switch clockwise until the locking tab on the switch body fully engages the pedal bracket. Full locking tab engagement will be accompanied by an audible click.

NOTE: Do not pull the brake pedal upwards as this will adjust the switch plunger to an incorrect position. The switch is properly adjusted when the switch plunger is just contacting (no gap) the brake pedal arm with the pedal in the relaxed (released) position.

6. Release the brake pedal from its depressed position to automatically adjust the brake lamp switch plunger.
7. Reconnect the battery negative cable.