So, ..... why are we spending money for brake switches?
10-29-2006, 01:30 AM
#1
Super Member
Thread Starter
So, ..... why are we spending money for brake switches?
When I first got my CLK430 I came here and found the fix for my 3 lights. Like a sheep, I replaced the brake switch against my will (since they are $26 a pop at MY dealer) and followed the flock.
Well, being an electronics specialist I wanted to know why it failed since inevitably it will fail again next year (according to everyone here). I can't believe I went against my will and bought one of these things! There are no electrical components inside at all, just a dang contact sitting on a spring.
People, please do yourself a favor and clean this contact if you are having trouble. It's ridiculous to tell people to buy a new one just because there's a little corrosion on the contact.
Save the $26, that's nearly a tank of gas in my area!
Well, being an electronics specialist I wanted to know why it failed since inevitably it will fail again next year (according to everyone here). I can't believe I went against my will and bought one of these things! There are no electrical components inside at all, just a dang contact sitting on a spring.
People, please do yourself a favor and clean this contact if you are having trouble. It's ridiculous to tell people to buy a new one just because there's a little corrosion on the contact.
Save the $26, that's nearly a tank of gas in my area!
10-29-2006, 03:37 PM
#4
Super Member
Good info!
Amazing that the switch just a simple electrical contact. I tried prying my old one open to see the inner workings but had a tough time getting it apart. Will definitely work the cleaning next time it gives me troubles. Thanks for tearing into the problem further.
10-29-2006, 09:16 PM
#6
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2014 E550 Convertible
Mine was definitely broken
When I replaced my switch the old one sounded like a baby rattle. My guess is one of the contacts had broken loose. I'm usually good at fixing these things, but my dealer is close and only charged $18.
The car had 105,000 miles when I replaced it, but had been sporadically giving lights for some time. I bet the contacts were dirty, and cleaning would have helped. I wish I had taken it apart to see what was rattling.
By the way - except when it was raining my car was much more fun to drive with all of that "stuff" disabled!
The car had 105,000 miles when I replaced it, but had been sporadically giving lights for some time. I bet the contacts were dirty, and cleaning would have helped. I wish I had taken it apart to see what was rattling.
By the way - except when it was raining my car was much more fun to drive with all of that "stuff" disabled!
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11-01-2006, 03:35 PM
#10
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2005 CLK 500 Coupe
Thank you for your info. I have just replaced one for $17, so I can follow your instruction to play with the old one. Therefore, I always have a spare one at home. 
05-08-2007, 09:34 PM
#11
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99 CLK 430
Cleaning it worked!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Good advice
Cleaning it worked!!!! Good advice
When I first got my CLK430 I came here and found the fix for my 3 lights. Like a sheep, I replaced the brake switch against my will (since they are $26 a pop at MY dealer) and followed the flock.
Well, being an electronics specialist I wanted to know why it failed since inevitably it will fail again next year (according to everyone here). I can't believe I went against my will and bought one of these things! There are no electrical components inside at all, just a dang contact sitting on a spring.
People, please do yourself a favor and clean this contact if you are having trouble. It's ridiculous to tell people to buy a new one just because there's a little corrosion on the contact.
Save the $26, that's nearly a tank of gas in my area!
Well, being an electronics specialist I wanted to know why it failed since inevitably it will fail again next year (according to everyone here). I can't believe I went against my will and bought one of these things! There are no electrical components inside at all, just a dang contact sitting on a spring.
People, please do yourself a favor and clean this contact if you are having trouble. It's ridiculous to tell people to buy a new one just because there's a little corrosion on the contact.
Save the $26, that's nearly a tank of gas in my area!
