How to Replace a Brake Switch

The brake light switch activates the stoplights on your vehicle every time you depress the brake pedal. However, a worn out or damaged switch may keep your brake lights permanently on (if the switch cannot open any more after releasing the pedal), permanently off (if the switch cannot close when you depress the brake pedal) or working intermittently. In each case, the switch creates a dangerous situation for you and other drivers on the road. Fortunately, you can replace it in a matter of minutes and with a minimum of tools.

Instructions

Park your vehicle in a safe place, away from traffic, where you can work with the drivers door wide open.

Look under the dashboard and see if you have plenty of room to access the brake light switch mounted in the top section of the brake pedal arm. If not, remove the under-dash panel using a Phillips head screwdriver. The switch mounts on a metal pin or flange attached to the brake pedal arm.

Unplug the brake switch electrical connector. Be careful not to break the locking tab on the plastic connector.

Pull off the pushrod retaining clip using a pair of needle nose pliers.

Remove the nylon washer from the brake pedal pin or flange by hand. On some vehicle models, you may need to remove a plastic bushing from the pedal pin or flange as well.

Slide the brake light switch off the pin or flange so the outer hole in the switch mounting bracket clears the pin or flange.

Pull the switch off the pin or flange. The inner hole on the other side of the switch-mounting bracket is U-shaped, so the brake light switch actually straddles the end of the brake booster pushrod, which is also attached to the brake pedal pin or flange.

Position the new brake light switch on the brake pedal pin or flange, straddling the end of the brake booster pushrod.

Slide the new brake switch and brake booster pushrod against the brake pedal arm so the pedal pin or flange goes through the new switch outer mounting bracket hole.

Install the nylon washer on the brake pedal pin or flange and bushing if your particular model is so equipped.

Install the pushrod retaining clip using the needle nose pliers.

Plug in the brake switch electrical connector.

Replace the under-dash panel, if you had to remove it, using the Phillips head screwdriver.