Brake light switch fails ON - How Common?

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  • Mo Brighta
    E30 Addict
    • Mar 2010
    • 424
    #1

    Brake light switch fails ON - How Common?

    I've gotten word from two folks with my upgrade tails, the switch seems to fail in the ON position, which of course generates much heat within the brake light area. The early tails may be able to handle it (steel bulb plate), but the late tails have a plastic socket, so they tend to get all melty.


    Without being too nosy, how many brake light switch failures do E30's see?
    Is this common?


    I realize that several things can cause an 'always-on' condition, such as loose mounting nuts and the switch coming loose , or a foot resting on the brake pedal (autos only, no doubt), maybe other conditions such as crud internal to the switch.


    Any comments - what is your experience?
    8
    No, not aware of this ever happening
    62.50%
    5
    Yes, from riding the brake pedal (operator error)
    0.00%
    0
    Yes, switch out of adjustment (maintenance issue)
    25.00%
    2
    Yes, switch failed internally (electrical failure)
    12.50%
    1

    The poll is expired.

    Andy says "Be Seen, and Not Hurt!"
    Lighting Upgrades front and back for 2002, E3, E9, E10, E12, E21, E23, E24, E28, E30, E32, E36, E39, and more.
    Tail Light Improvements keep them off your tail.
    Headlight protection saves headlights from breakage.
    Tags: None
    • e30davie
      E30 Mastermind
      • Apr 2016
      • 1788
      #2
      it fails on because then at least people then think you are braking all of the time instead of never braking and hopefully dont crash into you....

      do your upgraded lights draw more current than standard lights? if they do maybe the additional current is prematurely burning out brake switches?

      Maybe theres a reason they made the bulb plate steel eh.

        Comment

        • Mo Brighta
          E30 Addict
          • Mar 2010
          • 424
          #3
          Fail-safe mode

          Originally posted by e30davie
          it fails on because then at least people then think you are braking all of the time instead of never braking and hopefully don't crash into you....
          Yes, this is the hope we all have...
          do your upgraded lights draw more current than standard lights? if they do maybe the additional current is prematurely burning out brake switches?
          Yes, they do - each lamp is only a few watts more, but having two brake lamps per side draws more than one. I think that switch failures depend more on the switch (plastic versus metal housing) than the load.
          Maybe theres a reason they made the bulb plate steel eh.
          Early cars mostly used steel for lighting internals, it was standard manufacturing. The first fives (E12) were about the first BMWs to use plastic reflectors from the start, along with late 2002s. Please correct me if I am wrong.

          Most of my kits can use a relay to take the load of extra brake lamps. The trick in E30 trunks is finding a way to tap into another circuit (like the power antenna) for the relay power source.


          Any input in that regard is most welcome...


          Thanks!
          Andy says "Be Seen, and Not Hurt!"
          Lighting Upgrades front and back for 2002, E3, E9, E10, E12, E21, E23, E24, E28, E30, E32, E36, E39, and more.
          Tail Light Improvements keep them off your tail.
          Headlight protection saves headlights from breakage.

            Comment

            • Zeemz
              E30 Addict
              • Jan 2012
              • 485
              #4
              My friend's brake light switch (behind the brake pedal) failed a little while ago, but when it failed his brake lights wouldn't light up. If I remember correctly, though it was more the mechanical part of the switch failed, not the circuit.

              It is a pretty simple fix of just swapping out the switch though.
              1989 325is Lachssilber - Sold
              1990 325is Sterlingsilber - Current Project
              September 2018 Car of the Month: Zeemz
              Youtube Track & Autocross Videos


                Comment

                • MrBurgundy
                  R3V Elite
                  • Mar 2012
                  • 5296
                  #5
                  i vote for rob
                  Current Collection: 1990 325is // 1987 325i Vert // 2003 525i 5spd // 1985 380SL // 1992 Ranger 5spd // 2005 Avalanche // 2024 Honda Grom SP // 2024 Yamaha XSR700 // 2024 Jeep Gladiator Rubicon

                    Comment

                    • Mo Brighta
                      E30 Addict
                      • Mar 2010
                      • 424
                      #6
                      Originally posted by MrBurgundy
                      i vote for rob
                      Toads don't cause warts
                      Andy says "Be Seen, and Not Hurt!"
                      Lighting Upgrades front and back for 2002, E3, E9, E10, E12, E21, E23, E24, E28, E30, E32, E36, E39, and more.
                      Tail Light Improvements keep them off your tail.
                      Headlight protection saves headlights from breakage.

                        Comment

                        • MrBurgundy
                          R3V Elite
                          • Mar 2012
                          • 5296
                          #7
                          Originally posted by Mo Brighta
                          Toads don't cause warts
                          idk wtf that means
                          Current Collection: 1990 325is // 1987 325i Vert // 2003 525i 5spd // 1985 380SL // 1992 Ranger 5spd // 2005 Avalanche // 2024 Honda Grom SP // 2024 Yamaha XSR700 // 2024 Jeep Gladiator Rubicon

                            Comment

                            • agent
                              Vice Grand Pubaa
                              • Mar 2010
                              • 7960
                              #8
                              When mine failed it was the switch itself as mentioned above, so no lights at all.
                              Originally posted by kronus
                              would be in depending on tip slant and tube size

                                Comment

                                • Mo Brighta
                                  E30 Addict
                                  • Mar 2010
                                  • 424
                                  #9
                                  IDK WTF Either ...

                                  Originally posted by MrBurgundy
                                  idk wtf that means
                                  Thank you, I was about to say the same ... who is rob, and what office is rob running for?


                                  This is a thread about brake light failure and a poll about its various reasons. I was stymied when I saw that there are no 'rob' options in the poll.


                                  Perhaps you can clear your meaning up for me?


                                  Thanks!
                                  Andy says "Be Seen, and Not Hurt!"
                                  Lighting Upgrades front and back for 2002, E3, E9, E10, E12, E21, E23, E24, E28, E30, E32, E36, E39, and more.
                                  Tail Light Improvements keep them off your tail.
                                  Headlight protection saves headlights from breakage.

                                    Comment

                                    • MrBurgundy
                                      R3V Elite
                                      • Mar 2012
                                      • 5296
                                      #10
                                      You gotta have Rob on the options list for the poll.

                                      To contribute to your cause though, I’ve never had a faulty BLS fail in the on position


                                      Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
                                      Current Collection: 1990 325is // 1987 325i Vert // 2003 525i 5spd // 1985 380SL // 1992 Ranger 5spd // 2005 Avalanche // 2024 Honda Grom SP // 2024 Yamaha XSR700 // 2024 Jeep Gladiator Rubicon

                                        Comment

                                        • JasonC
                                          Site Manager
                                          • Aug 2006
                                          • 14451
                                          #11
                                          Lol, was disappointed at no Rob option too.

                                          But Rob was a mod and it goes back before I joined to have Rob in the poll.

                                          1992 BMW 325iC
                                          1978 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
                                          1965 Chevrolet Corvair Monza 140hp

                                            Comment

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