[eye30]

My dad's 58 plate (6 years old) i10 failed the MOT today.

The fail is documents as both rear brake lights not illuminating when brake pedal applied i.e the brake light switch knackered!!!
But if pressed hard they come on...........


They gave me a quote to replace but I remembered that my 2007 FD i30 had a recall on the brake switch so the service chap was happy for me to check with Hy.

Went off to the local Hy service centre and would you believe it during the trip the brake lights came on, then on, then on, then off, then off, then on.............you get the picture....

I asked about a recall on the brake switch but was told there was for the i30, i20 and another model BUT not the i10..

They checked the switch and unfortunately it is not the "normal" one but I think they said one with a wire! and the dash or something has to be removed to get access to attach the wire...

Will take a few days to order/receive so booked in for next Tuesday.

Price........so will cost the price of switch, circa £25/£30, plus a nominal £ for labour (regular customer - buying/service).

Rang MOT garage and I've to ring once fixed and althought they should charge £5 as retest more than 1 day after test but within 10 days (so only have to test failed item) they will probably waive the fee.


Anyone else heard or know about the i10 had brake switch issue?

[Shambles]

Anyone else heard or know about the i10 had brake switch issue?

Sure have.

Strange i10 issue - Brake light switch

[Phil №❶]

Went off to the local Hy service centre and would you believe it during the trip the brake lights came on, then on, then on, then off, then off, then on.............you get the picture....

Happens each time you stop at traffic lights or intersections, perfectly normal.

[Dazzler]

Went off to the local Hy service centre and would you believe it during the trip the brake lights came on, then on, then on, then off, then off, then on.............you get the picture....

Happens each time you stop at traffic lights or intersections, perfectly normal.

My indicators do that (Paddy told me they only work intermittently) ;-)

[Phil №❶]

 

[eye30]

Ok checked the switch out.

You can adjust the switch in the holder as it has 2 nuts to allow either lower or higher the seating.

When brake off the plunger in pushed into the switch.  As you apply the brakes, i.e. push the pedal down, the plunger comes out of the switch and lights come on.

Tried an adjustment and it didn't fix it 100%.

It is an intermittant fault as when you press the brake most times the brake lights light up but occassionally they don't.

So concluded that there is a fault in the switch housing and new switch required.

[Johnno]

Is the switch easy to remove? if so you could remove it and spray some wd40 down the side of the plunger so the lubricant goes inside the casing, sometimes the plunger can be rubbing against the switch casing and causing the plunger to stick or there could be a bad contact inside, I've had this problem before on my other car and it worked for me

[eye30]

Got new switch and they left the old one in the car.

Opened it up and there is a fixed contact and one which moves.

The one that moves does so by the plunger raising and lowering against the contact.

The contacts are pitted and there is a raised area just like you got on points in a dizzy.

I can only guess that the "gap" did not appear all the time cutting the circuit so the switch was malfunctioning

[asathorny]

Got new switch and they left the old one in the car.

Opened it up and there is a fixed contact and one which moves.

The one that moves does so by the plunger raising and lowering against the contact.

The contacts are pitted and there is a raised area just like you got on points in a dizzy.

I can only guess that the "gap" did not appear all the time cutting the circuit so the switch was malfunctioning

So, yer old dads back on the road then 

[eye30]

Not yet.

Off at 4pm for the retest but as only to check lights work will by 4.15pm.

[diablo]

The contacts are pitted and there is a raised area just like you got on points in a dizzy.

I can only guess that the "gap" did not appear all the time cutting the circuit so the switch was malfunctioning

They always used to put a capacitor (though usually called a condenser) in the points circuit to stop pitting. Wonder why they didn't do that for the brake switch?

I always used to order a new condenser at the same time as I bought new points - after I got fed up with filing the points surfaces flat for the fifth time. 

[eye30]

Not yet.

Off at 4pm for the retest but as only to check lights work will by 4.15pm.

Passed so back on the road and no need to dodge the anpr camera's

[Phil №❶]

Got new switch and they left the old one in the car.

Opened it up and there is a fixed contact and one which moves.

The one that moves does so by the plunger raising and lowering against the contact.

The contacts are pitted and there is a raised area just like you got on points in a dizzy.

I can only guess that the "gap" did not appear all the time cutting the circuit so the switch was malfunctioning

A classic example of old technology. The current draw when lights are on causes arcing at each application. This would not occur if suitable LED's were fitted to brake lights.

[eye30]

Ps
Just remembered that with the engine off and keys in hand, now when you press the brake pedal the brake lights come on.

Before they did not but i asked my dad and he said they did before this little issue.

Checked my i30 and i get brake lights on with engine off and keys in my hand.

Checked my old i30 and the same.

So here is a quick test to check brake light switch - engine off, keys in hand or no electrics on, press brake pedal and brake lights should light up.

Go on try it.  I know you all want to......

[The Gonz]

Why should this behaviour be a surprise? Every car I've owned has done this.

[eye30]

Why should this behaviour be a surprise? Every car I've owned has done this.

Which behaviour?

The lights lighting up with no key in.

Not to me but it is one of those things that you never notice until it is pointed out.

[The Gonz]

I think it's the simplest wiring arrangement and has been kept that way intentionally. If you're doing 100k on the freeway at night and your ignition system dies, at least your brake lights will keep letting others know where you are as you struggle to come to a safe stop.

[eye30]

I think it's the simplest wiring arrangement and has been kept that way intentionally. If you're doing 100k on the freeway at night and your ignition system dies, at least your brake lights will keep letting others know where you are as you struggle to come to a safe stop.

Good point but wouldn't you be coasting to find a safe place to pull over and stop or cross from outer lane to nearside.

But then you have your hazzards to put on

[The Gonz]

You're still going to use your brake pedal in the process unless you have a generous and perfectly dependable space in the dark - not likely. The message that you are reducing speed is just as important as for normal driving.

[Surferdude]

Why should this behaviour be a surprise? Every car I've owned has done this.

Same for me.