As reminder, there
are a LOT of differences between a 1978 model and a 1994 model - it always helps
to give complete info on your particular car when asking for help.
It sounds as if you have an earlier model 928.
Up thru 1983, the brake lights are operated by twin pressure switches on the
bottom of the brake master cylinder. From 1984 - up, the brake lights are
operated by a simple plunger switch mounted on the brake pedal under the dash.
The earlier brake light switches do double-duty, operating both the brake lights
and the brake pressure warning signal. These switches can cause some problems.
The switches are identical - one in each hydraulic circuit. They are single-pole,
double-throw switches. This means that you have only one circuit (single pole)
thru each switch, and that the switch chooses one of two outputs (double throw).
Each switch has three connections: power, central warning computer, and brake
light.
Not Activated
There is a power feed into each switch. When the switch is not activated (no
pressure in the brake circuit) the power isn't hooked to anything.
When the switch is not activated, the central warning computer and the brake
lights are connected inside the switch. Nothing happens, since there is no power
applied on either circuit.
Activated
When the switch is activated by brake hydraulic pressure in one of the circuits,
the central warning computer connection is broken, and the brake lights are
hooked to the power feed. This removes the central warning computer from the
circuit, and puts power on the brake lights.
(This might be easier to visualize if you think of three wires: one for 12 vdc,
one to the brake lights and one to the warning computer. The lead that goes to
the brake lights is connected to the one to the warning computer until brake
pressure pushes it off of that wire and over to the one going to power.)
All three leads go to both switches.
When you apply the brakes, both switches should activate. Both switches
disconnect the warning computer and connect the power to the brake lights. The
brake lights come on, and no signal is sent to the warning computer, so it is
happy.
If only one switch activates (either no pressure on one side of the brakes, or a
bad switch), then things change.
On the switch that is not activated, the brake light circuit is still hooked to
the warning computer.
On the switch that activates, the brake light circuit is hooked to 12 vdc.
The brake lights come on.
In addition, power flows on the brake light circuit back to the non-activated
switch. Since in this switch the brake light circuit and warning computer are
hooked together, 12 vdc is applied to the warning computer circuit. This sets
the Brake Pressure Warning light.
If you have a bad brake light switch, I strongly suggest that you replace both
switches. (P/N 113 945 515 G)
Wally Plumley
928 Specialists
www.928gt.com
(828) 766-9280