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Daves advice on my prior post was very helpful. Instead of using Dave's coat hangar bent to 'L' shape, I just used an old fashioned allen key.
The underside of the brake light switch needs to be pressed up, then you pull on the switch while using the 'L' shaped key to pull on the top retainer until it gives. Much easier than I anticipated! Took 20 maybe 30 seconds. I am flexible, so I did not need to remove my seat to get to the switch. I lied on my back and wiggled in.
I decided to open the switch and see why it died. The unit is very simple and easily understood and rebuildable. The contacts looked like crap, and the plastic plunger end was slightly melted from the heat from the high currents going through the unit. I cleaned the metal leads. the plunger also has metal leads, and I bent them out a bit so they firmly contacted the metal leads. (When the plunger is depresed, it is pushed down and gently bent away from one lead by some molded plastic. When the brake is depressed, the plunger pops out and the plunger metal slides passed the plastic and contacts the lead.
There is an adjustment white piece that slides over the black plunger. I pulled it out a few nothces(the black plunger is ribbed - I guess for her pleasure). This acts as a self adjustment for the switch. On replacing the switch, this will click in just enough to fit, hence it is self adjusting.
I reassembled and everything is just fine. I re-installed the unit with the brake pedal depressed, then let the pedal push into place, thereby self adjusting the switch. Make sure you feel 2 clicks when you reinsert the switch (that means both retainers properly seated). Then release the pedal and see if the rear lights are working properly.
Now my brake lights are on when they should be, and more importantly, they are off when not in use.
I know the part is ust 23 bucks, but add up all the 20 dollar items that I have rebuilt and the total moneys saved is over 300 clams on just this car. (light switches alone are $100). If the problem recurs, I will buy a new switch, but I doubt it will recur as this is a simple piece that is easy to fix.
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