Brake light failure: An easy way of removing the brake light switch

[E36Eric]

Here's the DIY of the brake switch replacement from Pelican parts.
http://www.pelicanparts.com/BMW/techarticles/E36-Brake_Switch/E36-Brake_Switch.htm

The hardest part of doing this replacement is removing the old switch out of the thin metal bracket that you dont want to warp or bend. I opted the easy way to remove the old brake light switch. Depress the brake pedals. Cut the tip of the switch. Slide the red tab out. Squeeze the clips holding the switch to the bracket (much easier without the red tab). Carefully remove the switch from the bracket.

http://img503.imageshack.us/img503/3039/0408082003azr1.jpg
http://img137.imageshack.us/img137/4545/0408082016md3.jpg
http://img383.imageshack.us/img383/1259/0408082009afn1.jpg

When replacing the new switch into the bracket, dont forget to pull the red tab out first.

Good luck!

[E36Eric]

Mods, can you please move this to the DIY section. Thanks.

[richbarn2]

Here's the DIY of the brake switch replacement from Pelican parts.
http://www.pelicanparts.com/BMW/techarticles/E36-Brake_Switch/E36-Brake_Switch.htm

The hardest part of doing this replacement is removing the old switch out of the thin metal bracket that you dont want to warp or bend. I opted the easy way to remove the old brake light switch. Depress the brake pedals. Cut the tip of the switch. Slide the red tab out. Remove the switch from the bracket.

http://img503.imageshack.us/img503/3039/0408082003azr1.jpg
http://img383.imageshack.us/img383/1259/0408082009afn1.jpg

When replacing the new switch into the bracket, dont forget to pull the red tab out first.

Good luck!

+1, i started the car, depressed the pedal, extended the red plunger and attempted to release the 2 latches that secure it to the bracket, no joy. so i used dikes/pliers to break the end of the switch off too... easy and painless. just make sure you disconnect the harness first...

:buttrock:buttrock:buttrock