A Brake Light Switch Replacement cost in San Bruno in 2024

The average cost for a brake light switch replacement with CarAdvise is $96 and the range is generally between $30 and $186.

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AVERAGE COST IN San Bruno

A Brake Light Switch Replacement costs by shop in San Bruno.

CarAdvise Customers save an average of $19 on A Brake Light Switch Replacement.

POPULAR VEHICLES

Average cost of A Brake Light Switch Replacement for popular vehicle models in San Bruno:

Car Model

Avg. cost

$50

THE IMPORTANCE OF A Brake Light Switch Replacement

What is a brake light switch and how does it work?

In order to comply with federal laws, all vehicles must be equipped with a brake light that illuminates when the brakes are applied by the driver. This is to signal drivers to the rear that your vehicle is slowing down or coming to a stop. To operate the brake light - or rather brake lights, since most vehicles have both a left and right brake light (and even a “third eye” light) - a driver need only step on the brake pedal.

That is because, attached to the brake pedal lever is a small switch, the brake light switch. It is mounted above the pedal under the dashboard. The switch senses the position of the pedal. When you press on the pedal, the pedal arm engages the switch, closing the electrical contacts inside and triggering the lights to come on.

COMMON SYMPTOMS

How do I know if a vehicle needs a brake light switch replacement?

Since the brake light switch is mounted inside the vehicle and under the dashboard, it is naturally protected from things such as extreme temperatures and moisture. It is, however, a very high-use item. Therefore, it simply accumulates normal wear as your vehicle is driven. Every time the brake pedal is pressed, even slightly, the brake light switch is engaged and sends an electrical signal to light up the vehicle's brake lights. This signal also travels to the computer that controls the vehicle's cruise control, as well as the ABS module. Due to the variety of components that rely on a properly working brake light switch, when it malfunctions, any of the following may occur:

Cruise control is rendered inoperative or it malfunctions

Brake lights at the rear of your vehicle do not turn on, or they flicker when the brake pedal is pressed

The brake lights remain on

Your vehicle will not start or only starts when shifted into neutral

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FREQUENCY OF INSPECTION

How does a technician perform A Brake Light Switch Replacement ?

To replace the brake light switch, a technician will likely do the following:

  • Remove any lower dashboard components necessary to gain access to the brake light switch
  • Disconnect the wiring attached to the switch
  • Dislodge the switch and remove it from its mount; replace the switch with a new one
  • Reconnect the wiring
  • Reinstall any components that were removed
  • Verify operation of the new brake light switch with either a visual test or a diagnostic tool

OTHER QUESTIONS CUSTOMERS ASK

Why would a brake light switch stop working?
A brake light switch may stop working due to a variety of reasons, such as a broken mount or the electrical contacts inside going bad. Most issues are simply due to excessive wear. Every time the brake pedal is pressed even slightly, the switch activates. In vehicles operated in lots of stop and go traffic, this means that by 100,000 miles, the brake light switch on your vehicle can have turned the brake lights on over one million times.
What would cause one brake light not to work?
If only one of your brake lights does not come on, the problem is not the brake light switch, since that component controls both the left and right (and “third eye”) brake lights simultaneously. If one brake light is no longer working, it is likely that a bad bulb is the culprit, or that there is an issue with the wiring in the circuit.
How do you check a brake light switch?
To check a brake light switch, a technician might use a multimeter to test the switch for continuity. A test light might also be used. In addition, a technician might also use a diagnostic scan tool to check for issues in the brake switch circuit.

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