brake light switch plunger adjustment
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 13
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1986 300sdl
brake light switch plunger adjustment
I my case the replacement brake switch had a shorter plunger than the original and I installed it that way. Warning lights returned. I removed the new switch and discovered that the plunger in adjustable by forcefully pulling or pushing. I adjusted the plunger to match the length of the original and all seems fine for now It seems that this is an essential step in replacing the brake light switch.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,258
Likes: 209
From: Boston North Shore
2001 CLK320 Cabrio
The W208 MB brake light switch is not adjustable.
If you had to pull out the plunger, would be because it's movement is being restricted, by binding/tightness at the switch's guide hole or a weak compression release spring.
Avoid the many available cheap knock-off brands, as the genuine MB switch replacement is only about $20,
If you had to pull out the plunger, would be because it's movement is being restricted, by binding/tightness at the switch's guide hole or a weak compression release spring.
Avoid the many available cheap knock-off brands, as the genuine MB switch replacement is only about $20,
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 13
Likes: 1
1986 300sdl
I don't think you are correct, the plunger is adjustable. You can feel the clicks as the plunger is pushed in or pulled out. The adjustment range is 1/2 inch to 7/8ths inch. The original one is adjustable and the replacement , that looks identical, is also adjustable.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,258
Likes: 209
From: Boston North Shore
2001 CLK320 Cabrio
The brake light switch has been a ubiquitous problem and MB eventually updated the older switch, where you had to make sure the plunger was pulled all the way out, with a redesigned switch and part number, where that was no longer a requirement.
Hundreds of forum members, when using the genuine MB updated part, have all just been plug and play.
On the other hand, lots of issues, right out of the box, when the after market knock off brands were used.
Wonder if their copies were of the old design and might have worked properly after adjustment.
Hundreds of forum members, when using the genuine MB updated part, have all just been plug and play.
On the other hand, lots of issues, right out of the box, when the after market knock off brands were used.
Wonder if their copies were of the old design and might have worked properly after adjustment.
Last edited by Serndipity; Mar 31, 2018 at 05:04 PM.
