BMW Switch
Replacement
Wayne R. Dempsey

Difficulty Level: 2
Difficulty scale: Adding air to your tires is level one
Rebuilding a BMW Motor is level ten

[click to enlarge]


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Figure 8

     The first step is to verify that your brake lamps are not working.  If you're by yourself, then wait until night time and back up against a brick wall.  You should see the reflection off of the wall when you step on the brakes - if you don't, then your switch is probably shot.  It's important to note that at least on some years, the BMW warning system that tells you when a lamp is out will not tell you if the switch is broken - you will have to figure it out for yourself.

     The first step is to gain access to the switch.  Remove the panel directly above the driver's side foot well.  This panel is secured by a few screws (Figure 2), and a few snaps as well (Figure 3).  In addition, you may have an electrical speaker unit attached to the panel.  Disconnect the harness (Figure 4) and pull the panel down (Figure 5).

     The brake switch is shown in Figure 6.  It's the rater large switch assembly that moves in conjunction with the brake pedal.  Remove the harness from the brake switch (Figure 7) and yank it out of it's bracket.  I found that I had to break the plastic housing of the switch in order to remove it (Figure 8).  That's perfectly okay, since you will be replacing it with a new one very soon anyways.

      To finish the job, simply install the new switch into place, and reconnect the wire harness.  Test the brake lights to make sure that they are working properly, and then reinstall the knee panel.

     Well, there you have it - it's really not too difficult at all.  If you would like to see more technical articles like this one, please continue to support Pelican Parts with all your parts needs.  If you like what you see here, then please visit our online BMW catalog and help support the collection and creating of new and informative technical articles like this one.  Your continued support directly affects the expansion and existence of this site and technical articles like this one.  As always, if you have any questions or comments about this helpful article, please drop us a line.

Reader Feedback:

     At the end, you instruct the readers to rip the switch out of the bracket. I just went through this today, and that is not the solution, though the solution is not obvious. In figure 1, you see the brake switch. You will notice that the switch 'button' is extended out further than it is once installed; it sort of ratchets in after installation, maybe as a self-adjusting measure. The way to remove the brake switch without breaking it is to first depress the brake pedal. Then use pliers to pull the switch button out; it should measure about 1/2" from the body of the switch. Finally, see the white collar in the picture (on my car it was red), pull that out, too; that will allow the plastic hooks that hold the switch in place to be depressed and to release the switch from its bracket. I was in pain and yelling foul words today as I figured this out. I hope the next person has an easier time!