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MG MGF Technical - TF Brake Lights

I have an 04 MG TF and the brake lights are playing up. I can brake and the lights come on and when I take my foot off the pedal the lights sometimes stay on till I press the brake again. If the lights stay on and i put my foot on the clutch the lights go out. If iam driving along and theres vibration in the cabin the brake lights often flash.... anyone got any suggestions? ideas?
Thanks
G Ardley

Brake mechanic settled from hard braking.
Dive down into the footwell and adjust the brake light switch.
Dieter

Thanks very much. Were will the brake light switch be located? What does it look like?
G Ardley

Its a small switch like device, and behind the brake pedal. If you do as Dieter suggests and look at the brake pedal you will soon see it makes contact with a switch device. You will see there is a plunger type unit that is part of the switch. What you need to do is tough the plunger out and you should hear it click as it moves against the wee rachet, this actually re sets the switch.

Its a very commin problem and one I have had my self and by pulling it out a bit it will reset

There's loads on the archive realted to brakes so check this if you need more detail

Brian
Brian

I also strongly suspect the brake light switch but ...

the long history of failure/sticking has been with Fs using the original Mk1 switch. later Fs and all Tfs use a later Mk2 switch and there has not been the same level of reports about these.

However, if the switch needs to be removed, note that the Mk2 is bolted in (unlike the push & twist of the Mk1). More than 1 person has wrecked a Mk2 before noticing the difference.

Is there any chance that the carpet, or floor mat, has slid up the bulkhead and is restricting pedal movement by the small amout needed?
John Ponting

Thanks very much Brian, what you said has solved it!
Gary
G Ardley

As you have a 04 TF, I suspect that you will not have the old style brake switch that you "tough the plunger out".
The TF has a new style switch that you can adjust.

cheers,
Branko
Branko

I also have a 1998 MGF with the same brake light switch problem.. re: flickering break lights. I am getting tired of people keep waving at me telling my brake lights are on.

Would it be better to obtain a whole new switch?

My switch has already been pulled out twice... I have looked for a part "brake light switch" but Im not sure what its proper name is.

Can anybody please help?

Thanks kindly
Jacqueline Paget

Jacqueline,

you missed to control your feet when driving ;) *smile*
*Never lift the brake pedal*, cause this malfunction kills the switch. *grin*

Anyway, the new switch with thread could be used in early MGF also.
A couple of washers us required as spacer and the adjustment with two nuts is a little bit of pain, though.
See http://www.mgfcar.de/brakes/index.htm
Dieter

This thread was discussed between 22/07/2007 and 20/08/2007

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