Date: Fri, 2 Feb 2001 11:40:56 -0600
From: MDadgar@handspring.com
Subject: RE: [E36M3] Changing Brake Light Switch

Jay wrote:
> Anyone know how to do this? I heard it's near the brake pedal.
> 
I just did this last weekend.  It's a major PITA to get to, but an easy
enough job if you note the catches listed below.  I did most of the work
lying on my back with my head stuck under the dash.  Bleahh.

Before you go buy the part, make sure you look at the part that's on the
car already.  Turns out there are two styles of brake light switch - 2
wire and 4 wire.  Ask me how I know.

Anyway:

1) remove the cowling under the driver's side dash.  There are 3 screws
holding it on, 2 on the lower dash face and one under the dash on the
right.
2) Swing the heating duct up and out of the way (it will pop and swivel
up out of the way)
3) locate the brake light switch.  It's NOT the white one - that's the
clutch switch (if you do not have Cruise Control, you may not have this
one).  Pull the connector off of it.
4) IMPORTANT: the plunger on the new switch must be FULLY EXTENDED, as
must the red sleeve around it.  If the plunger/sleeve is a half-inch or
so long, it's been depressed.  Pull it out all the way (it will ratchet
and sound like it's breaking, but it's not).  The switch will NOT go
into the holding bracket if the plunger AND THE SLEEVE are not extended
fully.  Ask me how I know.
5) Remove the old switch.  Don't worry about breaking the holding tabs -
you won't be using it again anyway.
6) Orient the new switch correctly (there's a guide tab in the
upper-left hand corner, looking at it from behind) and push it into the
holder. 
7) Connect the cable.
8) Re-orient the heating duct
9) Re-install the cowling.

- Mark
  '95 M3
  '97 528i 5-spd
  '88 M3, Hennarot
----
  Mark Dadgar - Product Manager, Visor
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mdadgar@handspring.com - Handspring, Inc
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