[cronnos]

Hello everyone, I'm new here. Before the question a small bio: Me and my wife are avid Toyota fans since we have owned a Corolla 91 (station wagon) for several years and last year we bought a 03 Echo.
Here is the question:
I believe my brake light switch has broken because the light will not come off and it drained my battery. I have never taken a mechanics class and I have never fixed anything besides changing battery and tires!
Do you think I can fix the break switch myself? Where could I get a diagram myself? Could it be something else besides the break light switch?
Well, thanks guys.
Cronnos

 

[cronnos]

Ok, I bought the brakelight switch, but I cant find where it goes... I would really appreciate an answer.
Thanks

 

[dx-r]

Your going to have to crawl under the dash where the brake pedal is. When the pedal is released you will see it pressing a switch. That's the one you want to replace. You can simply unplug it, back off the lock nut and unscrew the switch. It helps to make a note how much the old switch is screwed in so you can install the new one the same way.

 

[cronnos]

Thanks, I unplugged the switch, and put it back, but the light is still on. I did notice that nothing touches it when the brake is released... am I missing a part?

 

[dx-r]

You mean you just unplugged it from the old switch and plugged it back on without replacing it? If so than the old switch is probably stuck. Replacing the switch should cure the problem.

On a side note I’ve been having problems with the switch going out every couple of months and the brake light fuse blowing out. It turns out that the rubber padding on the brake pedal assembly that comes into contact with the switch came off and the metal to metal contact with the switch caused a short. The short would melt the plastic on the switch and cause it to stick. You may want to look into it………

 

[cronnos]

Got it done! Thanks dx-r! It seems that a little rubber part fell off from the pedal, which was supposed to put pressure on the switch, so I bought a new switch and I didn't need it. I'll save it in case it happens again. I used super glue on the rubber part, I hope it sticks and the heat does not make it fall (it get really hot here in Laredo).
Thanks!

 

[dkent2]

I had a 1991 white corrolla DX and it went through about 5 of those switches? I thought I was the only one.