Can't fit new brake light switch arghhhh

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rob0r

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Please help me from totally losing the plot. I have "the two amigos" with the TC and HDC lit up and the 2004 3dr TD4 has just failed it's MOT for this reason. The brake lights work perfectly with old switch but I've read that the switch can still throw the two amigos. The ABS light seems fine.

I went down to my local dealer and got the new style switch (XKB500120) and harness. I CANNOT GET THE SWITCH TO FIT!! I've spent well over an hour on my back, on my side, scraping my hands and head and I can't get it to locate. I can get the two 180 degree tabs two push through and it feels it pushes through far enough, but I cannot get it to budge either clock or anti clockwise.

I have tried flipping the switch 180 degrees but I can't get the tabs through the hole at all, it seems like I can only push the switch through the hole one way round.

With the switch loose I tried connecting up the new switch and harness, I started the engine and plunged the switch a few times (plunger fully extended) and I couldn't get the two amigos to go out... I'm concerned at this point that the switch won't fix the lights.

- Do I need to turn it clockwise or anti clock wise?

- Does the plunger need to be in a certain position, I noticed if I push it in and moved the blue tab i could get the plunger to lock all the way in.

- Is there only one way to put the switch in?

- Is it really this difficult?!?

Any other general advice would be greatly appreciated. I apologise for being a first time poster. I am a LR fan with a defender 300tdi, SIIa V8, SIII, RR classic!
 
Last edited:
rob0r said:
- Do I need to turn it clockwise or anti clock wise?
clockwise

- Does the plunger need to be in a certain position, I noticed if I push it in and moved the blue tab i could get the plunger to lock all the way in.
the plunger will be set automatically - the switch has to be rotated in the bracket for the plunger to be set & for the circuit to work correctly - that's why just hooking it up to the loom doesn't put out the fault lights on the dash
And make sure that BLUE TAB is set so that the plunger is free to move BEFORE you install the switch - rotating the switch in the bracket is what sets that blue tab so that the plunger travel is set correctly - that way you brake lights come on near the begining of the brake pedal travel
- Is there only one way to put the switch in?
yes - look carefully at the bracket, it is asymmetrical
look carefully at the switch, it has thee same asymmetrical form on the mounting spigot - you have to get them lined up to fully insert the switch and rotate it
- Is it really this difficult?!?
it took me ages to get my new switch in - just keep jiggling it till it goes in - patience is key to success
Any other general advice would be greatly appreciated. I apologise for being a first time poster. I am a LR fan with a defender 300tdi, SIIa V8, SIII, RR classic!
Click to expand...

Cheers
Simon
 
Last edited:
n'other thing ..

IF by chance the mounting plate also has a proximity sensor for cruise control
press the sensor from underneath .. then insert the brake-light switch ..

i've fitted two of the new type of switch .. first went in real easy ..
2nd time it took me ages .. before it finally slotted into place ..
that's after i moved that proximity sensor ..

that proximity sensor .. in theory .. should only be on auto gearbox vehicles
( i.e. as far as i know .. i might be mistaken )
mine's a td4 commercial manual gearbox ..
why it has the proximity sensor i can only guess ..

the first one fitted .. i followed instructions to push down the pedal
before fitting the switch ( to set the plunger position ) ..
result .. had to really hit the pedal hard for the brake lights to work ..

second time i did not push down the pedal ..
now the brake lights come on with just a small pressure on the pedal ..
 
hd3 said:
the first one fitted .. i followed instructions to push down the pedal
before fitting the switch ( to set the plunger position ) ..
result .. had to really hit the pedal hard for the brake lights to work ..

second time i did not push down the pedal ..
now the brake lights come on with just a small pressure on the pedal ..
Click to expand...

agreed - with the new style switch leave the pedal alone else the plunger will be set incorrectly

Cheers
Simon
 

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what's this part next to switch on my td4 manual on left
Click to expand...

probably the proximity sensor for cruise control .. read post no.3

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 
Have a look at the switch on the HDC on the gear stick. Sometimes they can dislodge. The brakelight switch when faulty can work with the engine running but not when ignition switch is on only. I was doing a PETROL check on my Freelander 1 GS 2002 and notice I had no brakelights when I use my steering anti theft lock as a foot presser. My two lights were flashing but I replaced the old for new BLS and cured it. But reading on some other issues similar the HDC switch can dislodge or suffer wear. You can lift the gear stick rubber boot up and see if there for the connector.
 
cheers but checked hdc and got new other switch for when green comes on down hill altimeter or watever is, so new abs sensors removed tc and abs light and handbrake light that came on on a straight, brake foot switch new checked all wites etc under gear boot all good cleaned switch, what's the pushing and clip up under tight rear arch next to abs connection? is that the brake light wiring?
 
teddywood1 said:
even after replacing sometime you have to have them deleted from the memory
Click to expand...
thanks cd poss be that then i thought the 3 all went off together but just 2went, welding this wkend as mot end month then stonechip all under , you cant not love them completely different to a car and idiots get out the way most the time, it's just sorting problems through neglected ownership of last 10,000 in my view as most is fully histories from day one i got all mots etc too, so cant complain
 
magpiepolish said:
no cruise control its a manual td gs
Click to expand...
Interestingly in my owners handbook on page 92 it says under Disengaging cruise control:
"On manual gearbox vehicles, the cruise control will automatically disengage if the brake or clutch pedals are pressed...."
Why would they write it?
 
I found the only way I could fit the brake switch was to remove the drivers seat, that way I could get right in there and see what I was doing. If doing and electrical work disconnect the battery first
 
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