over it

**Geedublya** · 15th November 2013, 10:01 AM

The brake light switch is a pain in the arse. I had mine out on the weekend while doing some other things and it has a mechanism that does not allow it to operate correctly unless it is installed (twisted in) into the correct position.

This mechanism can jam the plunger out. I found that even though I had installed the switch correctly the plunger jammed out causing the brakes to applied slightly (I did not notice this) when I drove a couple of kilometers the brakes heated enough so that they were significantly applied and a bunch of faults started appearing (transmission, HDC, ABS etc). I was sitting on the side of the road in the pouring rain wondering how I long I had to wait for the brakes to cool down enough to limp home very slowly when I heard a pop as the plunger settled back into the correct position.

I drove home and pulled the switch out again and installed it a few more times to find that indeed the plunger can jam causing the problem.

I was tempted to replace the switch with the new spare I carry, however I have left the original in there and have had no further problems.

Torb · 16th November 2013, 06:57 PM

Thought I give you an update on my problem with the HDC transmission fault message. Quick recap: have replaced the brake light switch twice and then a new battery.
Took it back to MR Automotive yesterday and after three hours of investigations they found that one of the circuits going to the brake pedal didn't have power. Turns out to be a bad connection in the wire loom under the dash board. They didn't try to locate the exact point as that would've taken a long time, instead bypassed the circuit and the problem is fixed.
Luckily the bad connection was off this time, all the other times when I took it in to them the connection had closed and hence they couldn't find the fault. This was a tricky one for sure.

I really hope that this is it and this error doesn't come back.

**Ashes** · 18th November 2013, 06:13 PM

You can add starter motor to the list as a possible culprit if you get these type of faults when starting the car..mine had that problem. I also had similar faults when I first got the car which were sorted by a new battery.

**theresanothersteve** · 19th November 2013, 07:53 AM

Originally Posted by BigJon

Don't be surprised if the cheap globes cause trouble or don't last long.
I don't stock anything other than Philips globes for that reason, they seem to be the best.

Gotta agree with this advice. Wouldn't trust anything from a 'supermarket' like SCA for anything critical.
I can also remember when Narva was considered cheap and nasty, and still stay away if I can. Probably unjustified now, but we all have idosyncracies...

**rb30gtr** · 19th November 2013, 08:48 AM

Originally Posted by theresanothersteve

Gotta agree with this advice. Wouldn't trust anything from a 'supermarket' like SCA for anything critical.
I can also remember when Narva was considered cheap and nasty, and still stay away if I can. Probably unjustified now, but we all have idosyncracies...

All 4 globes for the rear of my disco cost $7 all up and have not had an issue yet. SCA all the way.

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