Vernon Posted August 30, 2022 Share Posted August 30, 2022 Hi - Stoplights have stopped working - not bulbs so most likely the switch on the pedal. Looks easy enough to replace but does anyone know a good source of supply of the pre 96 switch? Its quite different to the facelift version. The pre 96 one is a black square box with a bit of wiring loom and socket attached. They are on EBay but the seller is a German firm I have been caught out by before - loads of online complaints that they don’t send you the correct part and then not refunding you. with me I bought an expansion tank cap but what arrived was nothing of the sort. Cost of postage more than cost of item. so a sort of scam judged by how many people complaining. so - any thoughts on good provider? I can get one from USA but £40 postage Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
V Posted August 30, 2022 Share Posted August 30, 2022 The wire connectors can work loose. Check the continuity of the cables to make sure they are not broken downstream. Also check the continuity across the switch with both cables disconnected and operating the brake pedal. Sometimes the old switches just need a bit of contact cleaner sprayed into them and a few operations to coax them back into service. Same goes for connectors, pull them off, spray with cleaner, squeeze them a fraction tighter if needed, reconnect and try. If the switch is still broken after trying that, no harm in taking it apart to see if it can be fixed. Solder can sometimes be used to restore worn contact faces. I have a hydraulic brake pressure switch in the back of my Wilwood adjustable brake balance valve. I am not using it at the moment but I left it installed as it is easy to plug the pedal switch wires into it if need be. You might find a UK sourced brake pressure switch a cheaper modification if you can't find an affordable replacement pedal switch. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vernon Posted August 30, 2022 Author Share Posted August 30, 2022 Thankfully - with the help of an excellent American YouTube video I was able to remove the switch with its bit of wiring harness. So simply it was untrue. With it out it was clear that the switch was very “old school” with a cover that clipped over the base plate. Once the cover was off it looked very dusty and glazed. So a really good clean with contact cleaner after a light sand of the contact points, a light spray of WD40, put it back together and re-attach it and Bingo! Working brake lights. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vernon Posted August 30, 2022 Author Share Posted August 30, 2022 3 minutes ago, V said: The wire connectors can work loose. Check the continuity of the cables to make sure they are not broken downstream. Also check the continuity across the switch with both cables disconnected and operating the brake pedal. Sometimes the old switches just need a bit of contact cleaner sprayed into them and a few operations to coax them back into service. Same goes for connectors, pull them off, spray with cleaner, squeeze them a fraction tighter if needed, reconnect and try. If the switch is still broken after trying that, no harm in taking it apart to see if it can be fixed. Solder can sometimes be used to restore worn contact faces. I have a hydraulic brake pressure switch in the back of my Wilwood adjustable brake balance valve. I am not using it at the moment but I left it installed as it is easy to plug the pedal switch wires into it if need be. You might find a UK sourced brake pressure switch a cheaper modification if you can't find an affordable replacement pedal switch. Many thanks - interesting suggestion. Many thanks - not one that would have occurred to me On my list of things to sort is the Cruise Control. Why I’m not sure because round here I would never be able to use it. But it’s there so it’s going to work! I assumed the vacuum hoses are shot - and I still do - but I wonder given the state of all the contacts (just crud - not arcing) if part of the issue is the fail safe brake switch? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
V Posted August 30, 2022 Share Posted August 30, 2022 Well done! A lot of the older XJ model switches and modules come apart and can be restored. Windscreen wiper modules can burn out PCB tracks and board mounted relays, but the cover comes off and the tracks can be replaced with insulated wire and relays desoldered and replaced. It's all old style big passive components. If you have electric seat adjustments and the switches stop working, no need to take them apart just give them a good spray with contact cleaner around the switch paddles and knobs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vernon Posted August 31, 2022 Author Share Posted August 31, 2022 15 hours ago, V said: Well done! A lot of the older XJ model switches and modules come apart and can be restored. Windscreen wiper modules can burn out PCB tracks and board mounted relays, but the cover comes off and the tracks can be replaced with insulated wire and relays desoldered and replaced. It's all old style big passive components. If you have electric seat adjustments and the switches stop working, no need to take them apart just give them a good spray with contact cleaner around the switch paddles and knobs. Yes - I did exactly that with my electric seats - tho’ the switches were not really the issue. The mechanism was so cruddy it was jamming. Always in the “up” position. So you play with the switch and each time the seat goes a little higher and then won’t go back down….. Myself (and the front seat passenger) ended up with needing a sunroof for our heads to stick out of But have to say - am loving the old school simplicity of the XJ. Compare that to the issue we have just had with my wife’s Hyundai i30 - great car for what it is, totally reliable over 8 years and we bought it at 3 years old. It developed a funny knock in the steering and research showed a common fault in the electric power steering motor. A plastic/rubber “spider” little shock absorber in the steering column breaks down with time. See pic’s It is a right PITA to replace so I had a garage do it as you have to re-programme the steering module - so replacing a part that costs £3.67 ends up costing nearly £400 with labour costs. so SWMBO was mightily impressed that I saved us about £40 by renovating the old switch. I seriously think she was quite impressed I bought two of the i30 “spiders” so I could do before and after pics. What is left of the old one is soft and crumbly. Apparently an issue with a lot of Korean cars - and a relatively easy fix. Pics of the renovated XJ seats. The leather had a few cracks and was easily sorted. And the mechanism and switch’s SO easy to renovate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vernon Posted August 31, 2022 Author Share Posted August 31, 2022 Now that’s a bit of luck! On looking at the switch internals they really were cruddy and glazed. So they all got a good clean both the brake light terminals and those for the cruise control. The result is working Cruise Control!! So a “oh no, another issue to solve” - was not only an easy fix but solved another issue on the to-do list. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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