Hydraulic brake light switches

[mattb]

Howdy folk...
There's been a discussion about the likes of which on the Volvo forum I frequent... early failure of hydraulic brake light switches. On older Volvos, seems many folks (myself included) have had failures.

The original switch on my XK120 still works fine, and we're wondering about the track record of switches on other types of vehicles....

So, anyone have experience? Anyone dissected a failed switch? See:
https://brickboard.com/RWD/index.htm?id=1241984
and:
https://www.sw-em.com/hydraulic%20brake%20light%20switches%20notes.htm

Thanks,
Matt

 

[Exotexs]

Once I thought I had a failed brake pressure switch and replaced it, but the old switch was fine. This was in my 1965 Jaguar S type with 99% original Lucas everything, still working fine.

When someone starts whinning about "Lucas Prince Of Darkness", I smile because I own two Jags and the only BAD components have been the Bosch-made components. The Lucas parts keep going for decades.

I owned a 1971 Volvo 1800-E and a 1973 1800-ES and never had a problem with electrics, but I sure had problems with the water pump gaskets failing in both B-20 engines, even IPD couldn't figure it out.

Ex

 

[LarryK]

Years back when I was just starting to drive, my Dad bought a 57 XK140 MC Coupe that needed work. The brake light switch had started leaking and did not work right. He switched it out with a 54 Chevy switch that fit and I'll bet is still on the car, probably the only NOS part on it.
Other than that thru the years with Triumphs and Jags, I have never had a hydralic switch fail. Electric switches are another story.