How to Change a Brake Light Switch

Brake lights have been an important safety feature on automobiles since the early twentieth century. Automakers are also required to install high mounted brake lights in addition to the normal right-hand and left-hand brake lights. All three of these brake lights are actuated by a switch that is mounted near the brake pedal in the passenger compartment on most vehicles. If all of your brake lights stop working at once, chances are you have a faulty brake light switch.

Instructions

Brake Light Switch Replacement for Newer Cars (1990 and Later Models)

1

Locate the brake light switch, which will be mounted near the pivot point of the brake pedal underneath the dashboard. Disconnect the wiring harness plug from the brake light switch by pressing in on the tabs on each side of the plug, then pull the plug outwards. Push the wiring harness out of the way.

2

Rotate the brake light switch in a counterclockwise direction. Pull the switch straight out of the mounting bracket and discard it.

3

Push down on the brake pedal with one hand as you insert the tabs of the new brake light switch into the mounting hole on the bracket with the other hand. Let go of the brake pedal until it comes back up to its resting spot.

4

Rotate the brake light switch clockwise until it clicks into place. Plug the wiring harness into the new brake light switch until it snaps into place.

Brake Light Switch Replacement for Older Cars (1989 and Earlier Models)

5

Locate the brake light switch on the brake pedal under the dashboard. Lift up on the tabs on the wiring harness plug, and pull the plug from the brake light switch.

6

Pull the metal U-shaped retaining clip from the brake switch mounting stud on the upper part of the brake pedal with a pair of pliers and set it aside. Slide the brake light switch towards the rear of the vehicle and away from the mounting stud, then discard it.

7

Slide a new brake light switch over the mounting stud on the brake pedal.

8

Slide the retaining clip back over the end of the mounting stud until it locks into place.

9

Plug the wiring harness back into the brake light switch.