Volkswagen: 72 Super Beetle Brake Lights, brake warning light, brake light switch

Question
Ok here it goes,My brake lights went out on my 72 super and i can't seem to find out why and i think i'm not getting power down to the switch on the master cylinder.I put a tester on the switch and had my brother hit the brake. It showed that that the switch worked..If i tested it right the wire to the switch, like i said has no power.Please help i'm stuck and have no idea where to begin.

                              Thank you very much
                                  Jim

Answer
Hey Jim,

This should help you to get going, no problem.  I looked over the diagram for that car:

You should be getting positive power (when key is on 'on' postion) from one of the side terminals of the plugs that go on brake light switch. (under car attached to master cylinder)  Make sure you have a good ground when testing.  You do not need to have the brake depressed, it should be a constant flow of positive.


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If you have no power there, no problem.  This wire simply connects to #11 (next before last fuse from the left) to get it's positive juice.  Follow that wire,  it most likely got unplugged.  (or the fuse has blown, and the terminals are dirty and need to be cleaned).

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The middle wire from both sensors attach to a terminal lettered "K" on back of the little red brake warning light in the car.

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The remaining wire join forces and run back to terminals marked "54" on the back of your brake tail lights. Terminal 54 is the same for passenger and driver side rear brake lights.


That's the basic run of the entire system, if you are still having trouble, let me know, and we can further investigate.

Good luck, and PLEASE, drop me a line and let me know how you indeed made out.

Ron