How to replace brake light switch in VW Golf Mk4 (right hand drive)
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- Опубліковано 8 лют 2025
- This video shows how easy it is to replace brake light switch in Volkswagen Golf Mk4. The car in the video is right hand drive (steering wheel on the right). Left hand drive cars are very similar. Same principle can be applied to many other Volkswagen vehicles.
Here's the link to job description with images, also available in printable format:
www.wheelsandm...
www.WheelsAndMotors.com - free online car manuals
Thanks for the tutorial, I’ve watched it once and it took me less than 5 minutes to get this done on my VW Lupo (plus I’m a woman who knows very little about cars lol). My issue was EPC warning light on (despite break lights working) and swapping the brake light switch to a brand new one sorted this problem for me. Thanks you!
You're welcome 😎👍
More than 2 years after you posted this video, people like me are STILL saving money on garage bills. Happy days, and thank you my friend. I just finished swapping my faulty BLS. Job done. :)
Thanks Dave :) Glad if it helps..
@@wawayltd Hi can you tell me what symptom indicated that the switch had failed, was it engine management light?
Literally watched this once. Then done it a few hours later as I remembered the quality tutorial. Took me 2 mins. Thank you very much
Hi can you tell me what symptom indicated that the switch had failed, was it engine management light?
Normally first sign is that brake lights are constantly on even when you're not braking. I switch is faulty brake light circuit acts like a brake pedal is down.
@@wawayltd Thanks for getting back. apparently my brake lights are fine but cruise has failed along with engine h management light. could it still be the brake switch🤔
Honestly the best, shortest video on the topic explaining it concisely.
Thanks 👍
I had a problem with my taillights being on but not the brake lights. Replaced the brake light switch as shown in the video, really easy to do, EPC light is now off and brake lights are illuminating! Happy days! Quick tip if you press down on the brake and turn your engine on after replacing the EPC light will turn itself off when the new switch is fitted 🎉 thanks for your video! Saved me an arm and a leg at a local garage 😂
Well displayed and explained, saved me a load of hassle, This sorted my first problem of the Glow Plug warning light flashing on dashboard screen. Thanks a lot.
You're welcome Graham 👍
Thanks mate, my brake lights worked intermittently then went; this video let me do it myself for just £6, thanks!
You're very welcome Dexter, glad if it helps :)
Great tutorial!!! Just replaced my brake light switch because i kept having an EPC warning on my dash, and cruise control didn't work. Was able to identify the faulty switch using VCDS, and installed a new one, problem fixed!!
Thanks Max 😊👍
Hi can you tell me what symptom indicated that the switch had failed, was it engine management light along with cruise control failure?
Andrew Griffith cruise control failure indeed, along with a EPC light on my dash.
Simple step by step instructions and in great detail. Thanks for this informative video.
Thanks Peter 😎👍
Good little tutorial, I had my brake switch out in a couple of minutes. Cheers.
You're very welcome Mr Stanhope 😊👍
well done and thanks a million for the short video, well explained, you made it very easy to understand, looking forward to seeing other videos ...thank you.
Thanks 👍
first clear tutorial I have found very helpful thank you
You're very welcome :)
There will be more about this car
Excellent video thank you - very clear and to the point. The switch on my '99 V reg mk4 just failed and needs replacing, looks like it should be an easy job.
Yeah, it's pretty easy. 99 V reg is classic car these days 😉
Nice 1, changed this switch today with your help.
You wouldn't even believe me if i told you, yesterday this switch failed while I was on the way to an mot!!!
Easy fix though! Nice 1
Easy peasy 😎👍
spot on this guide .thank you really helped..functioning brake lights and no management warning light..thanks again
You're welcome, Carl :)
Thank you very much mate, I've been driving for 2 days with no brake lights, I'll change it tomorrow haha 😂 Great video 🙂
Thanks :)
But 4 years later have you done it
@@stitcha123 I did it the next day 🤣 that shed of a car is long scrapped thankfully! Had 5 cars since then, currently looking for my 6th, get bored too fast I think 🤣
@@cwuzii hahaha. What you get now and what did you get?
@@stitcha123 after the Bora (same platform as the MK4 golf, hence why I was watching this video) then I had a BMW 320d coupe, then I had a Mercedes C250 w204, then a VW Golf GTD mk6, then a Mercedes C250 w205, which I sold last month to ‘We Buy Any Car’ for a profit amazingly! Due to covid used car prices have gone silly, currently looking for a car but absolutely no car appeals to me, maybe a 4 series bmw, we’ll see, I’ve kinda lost interest in cars.
What do you have?
Brilliant!
Sorted my glow plug lamp coming on, thankyou
That's good, however flashing glowplug normally light indicates some engine fault...
@wawayltd I had the codes read and there were no engine related codes, crazy !
But thanks for the tutorial on how to change the switch 🙂
Well done man, very helpful. Thx
You're welcome!
I'm glad that it still helps after all these years 👍
Very helpful thanks! I would just add that you need a T20 Torx bit to undo the screws. I tried WD40 on the old switch but all that did was change the brake lights from being permanently off to permanently on, but with a new brake light switch everything was fine. The EPC warning light didn't clear upon starting up the engine in the garage and pressing the brake, but did clear itself a couple of days later when I took the car out for a drive.
Thanks for your comment, glad if it helps 😊👍
if you dont have an OBD scanning tool to reset the computer u disconnect both battery terminals....... connnect a wire or jumper cable between the positive and negative cables (not battery terminals) ...... turn ignition ON with the battery out ofcoz.... then turn everything on inside the car.... every little thing that works with power....lights, indicators, fan, AC button, windows, horn interior lights etc...... then leave wire connected for about an hour..... this will drain the ECU computer circuits from any excess power and reset the computer
Excellent work! 👌🏻
Thanks Pete 😎👍
¡¡¡Excelente Tutorial !!!!
Desde Chile, muchas gracias.
You're very welcome 👍
Good job budy you have explained it so nicely a to z..... thumps up 👍👍👍👍
Thanks :)
Very timely video , just found my brake lights are out. Fuse and bulbs ok, sw. is next. Good tutorial too.
Thanks :)
Thanks! One strange thing happened to me. After inserting a newly bought switch the brake lights stayed on, whatever I do with the brake pedal (pressing and releasing). Finally I removed the new switch and inserted the old one back and things went back to normal. I was suspecting the old one to have a sporadic problem, that's why I wanted to replace it. Is this a definitive sign that the newly bought switch is faulty?
I think so
Very good video, informative. Thanks.
You're welcome 👍
thank you very much!
You're welcome 😎👍
Very helpful. Mine failed over the weekend and wasn't sure how to replace it! Thank you again!
You're welcome :)
Found out today that the brake light switch can be disassembled and repaired. A little protrusion on the plunger (the part that is being moved by the braking pedal) pushes copper contacts away. The protrusion is made of plastic and will wear out sooner or later. By bending/pushing the copper contacts slightly towards the plunger, the plunger is again able to push away - and disconnect - the contacts.
Now I'm having a hard time placing the switch back in its bracket...
You made it?
Good vidéo , thanks
You're very welcome 👍
Thanks for the vid man! Helped me out alot
Good to know it helps, thanks James :)
very easy man thanks don't scrap your golf mk4
Thanks :)
Thank you for this informative video, really appreciate it. Thanks
You're very welcome Yahya 😊
Would a failed one of these mean you handbrake lights also don't come on? Seem to recall all my rear lights failed out once (car's been sat on my drive for months with a failed MOT).
What are handbrake lights?
@@wawayltd Your brake lights. But activated via the hand brake - i.e. generally the side ones and not the central one above the rear window. In other words, if if was just the foot brake switch, I'd still expect the lights to work when the hand brake is engaged.
That's strange, I never knew that handbrake/parking brake activates some lights... well, apart from the one on a dashboard. I don't think I can help you there...
i have the Golf MK4 Tdi and all of a sudden my glowplug light constantly flashes while driving but the car drives find besides the battery problem. Guess the dead battery killed the brake light switch...... and yet i dont understand what that switch has to do with the glowplug light flashing.... in other videos everyone talks about the brake light switch causing the glowplug light flashing..... so i changed the switch and the flashing stopped lol..... this puzzles me as mechanic 😂 ..... the part number for brake light switch on the MK4 is 1J0 945 511D ...... i noticed an old one laying inside my glovebox when i bought the car few years back..... guess this part tends to fail every few years
Thanks man.
You're welcome 👍
Muy buen video muchas gracias amigos 👍👍
You're very welcome 👍
What about replacing acelerator pedal and position sensor ??
Sorry Adol, that car was gone few years ago...
thank you so much
You're very welcome 👍
Great video, thanks for your help
You're welcome :)
You made that super easy thanks! Changed switch and b lights now working again but glow plug symbol still flashing. Any ideas or will I have to get it plugged in?
Sean Woodward Flashing glow plug sign can mean lots of various things. There are some people that offer diagnostics for something like 20 quid. I would recommend plug in.
Thanks for the advise!
you legend!
Thanks 😎
Are you planning showing some suspension fixing videos of Golf MK4 ? I would really like to see how to dismount the subframe, steering rack maybe DMF ? :) I know I want too much but maybe someday ?
Oh yes! I got my hands on this Golf now, and I'll do as much as I can. My only problem currently - lack of time. Slowly, but surely, we'll get there :)
Oh yes! I got my hands on this Golf now, and I'll do as much as I can. My only problem currently - lack of time. Slowly, but surely, we'll get there :)
+WheelsAndMotors Ok :)
Hi thanks for the video. Can you help me why my brake lights are permanently on?
Faulty switch?
@@wawayltd unsure, plug it in and the brake lights go out, pressing the peddle and nothing happens, changed the bulbs, swapped the clusters over but still nothing, take it out of the holder and the brake lights come on and stay on.
@@lewismatthews3653 What brake light switch does - turns lights on when you press brake pedal, so by default lights are on constantly, unless brake pedal pushing it when it's up...
Did you try to replace that switch? With the new one? It's pretty cheap at least to give it a go..
@@lewismatthews3653 having same problem. Brake lights permanently on as soon as I turn the lights on. Changed the BLS but still the same. Did you find the way to fix this? Thanks
i know its an old video but i have to try. I own a seat leon 1.9tdi 2006 1p and the brake switch is missing, and so is the wire. can you tell me where des the wire lead to? so i can chase it and find it?
I'm sorry, so far wiring is a magic mystery for me - therefore I'm afraid I can't help you with this one..
WheelsAndMotors its all good. Thanks for answering
Thank you! I at least could put out the light of my car so the battery is not flat tomorrow.
You're welcome! Was it on even with ignition off?
Would a faulty break light switch cause your trans to be stuck in park lmao? A method said it does
I don't have much experience with auto-transmission. Possibly, if it requires for brake pedal to be pressed to switch to drive, and uses signal drom brake light switch to "know" when it's pressed..
Is your switch faulty?
Great instructions
Thank you :)
my Golf mk 4 GTI model 2002.code p2128 and epc light >> The gas pedal does not work .. but when I put my feet on the brakes moving a car and the brake pedal was working as a gas pedal and brake at the same time ,,Is there any help?
Brake pedal as gas pedal... That's odd. Don't know.. Here's the link about that code:
wiki.ross-tech.com/wiki/index.php/18560/P2128
Those electrical connectors can be a massive bitch. Thanks for the video man.
You're welcome Alex 👍
I have broken few VW connectors.. They definitely can do with a better design.
If my auto gearbox isn’t shifting from P to D, would it be the brake light switch?
Brake light switch is pretty simple and shouldn't affect gearbox, unless your car is programmed not to move with faulty switch.. Do your brake lights come on and off?
great video easy job with a bit of fiddly stuff
thank you :)
Spot on mate! Thanks a lot :)
You're welcome :) There will be more about this car..
Cool. I may have some detailed questions about Golf Mk4.
You are a good man and keep doing it. Respect !
I'm not as smart as I pretend to be in my videos ;) But I'm getting there - that's why I bought this Golf.
Do you have the part number for the purple switch?
Sorry, I don't. Just got it from Euro Car Parts.
@@wawayltd that’s okay thanks for the reply!
Good tutorial. I replaced the brake switch on my 99 beetle but one light still not working. bulb and fuse are ok. Do you have any clue of whats the problem? thanks
Is there only one bulb that's not working or the whole light (side)?
WheelsAndMotors yes, if I push the brake pedal just one light is on. if I turn on the lights both lights work perfect
Miguel Campos That's weird. I'll see if I can find out something. At the moment I have no idea either. I haven't been to this Golf's tail lights yet. Is the brake light and tail light performed by the same bulb?
Probably something wrong with wiring. Bad contact or something...
hi there, my vw bora automatic wont come out of gear what would this problem be please?
I don't have much experience with automatic gearboxes, sorry..
Scrup yard
braking system failure
very helpful thanks
You're very welcome ;)
Is this switch related to cruise control not working or not ?
I think it can be. Cruise control switches off when brakes applied. If it doesn't work it needs to be replaced anyway, if it does then problem with cruise control is somewhere else. Simple.
Not sure, but it does give an "engine failure" notification on the dashboard. By the way, it's not always the switch that fails, the connector can also cause trouble.
Besides the lights what other issues could it be?
Can't say yet, I didn't have this car for long enough. I don't drive it either - I bought it for mechanical educational experiments. But I think it's a good car in general.
Brake lights aways on , brake pad is not still its free. help!!!
Don't quite understand what means "brake pad is not still its free"... Did you try to change switch?
WheelsAndMotors I did, at the moment everything was fine untill monday night, the brake lights was aways on , idk how to spell ir right but its moving from the left to the right pretty easy, shouldnt it bee still?
@@hujakshhh76 Yes. It should stay pretty strong, not moving. Maybe you have problem not with the switch, but with the bracket that holds it?
WheelsAndMotors maybe maybe, dont know and dont know what to do.
@@hujakshhh76 check if there is damage to that place that holds it. It should sit strong, and when brake pedal is up - it should press it firmly.
Can u do a video for the clutch switch??
Sorry, my friend, that car has gone now...
WheelsAndMotors
I replaced the brake switch eventually but my cruise control still not working... any ideas???
Don't know.. Try to scan it?
@@solotravellerfoodcritic Hello Friend! It looks like I have the same problem as you do with cruise control. did you solve your problem?
@@ujin_ua No!
Thanks pal
You're welcome 😎👍
perfect! thank you
You're very welcome :)
Helpful, thx
You're welcome :)
👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍
You're welcome 👍
Thanks bro!
Now I can install my own break light switch to scare the shit out of tailgaters with their high beams on riding my ass on the high way.
You're very welcome, bro :) Hate tailgaters!
My car doesnt turn off the ligths even when I disconect the brake switch
That's odd, even if by default lights are on, and brake light switch switches them off when pedal is up.. As I understand with connector disconnected they should go off. Probably problem is somewhere down the line, must short circuit somewhere..
thank you so muchhhhh
You're very welcomeeeee :)
brilliant! all you need to know to save ££. thanks
You're welcome :)
They are bastatds fuel pump code lamda 1 lamda 2 and rezervouar valve exxaust are checked after this problem also tail lights are working wrong they are doing it in purpose I found that they had made a trick so the valve switch not fit in place correctly..