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YOUR RESEARCHNo brake lights
Reported repair
Install second switch and brake lights are working fine
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1
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Reported fix · Original poster
Installed a second switch and brake lights are working fine. Either the replacement switch was faulty or I managed to damage it during the installation, either way all is good now and back on the road !
Leading evidence: 'Install second switch and brake lights are working fine' (1 discussions report resolution; 0 report an unsuccessful attempt). Across 1 matching discussions, The most frequently discussed action is 'Install second switch and brake lights are working fine' (1 discussions). For that action, 1 discussions report a resolution and 0 report an unsuccessful attempt. The most frequently reported fix is 'Install second switch and brake lights are working fine', supported by resolution reports in 1 discussions. These are forum reports and suggestions, not a confirmed diagnosis.
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Explicit resolution reports before identified causes, performed actions and suggestions. Within each level, matching component labels precede direct query mentions and inherited thread context; successful versus unsuccessful discussion counts, owner confirmations and independent discussion support determine order. This is not a probability of success.
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Performed · outcome unconfirmed · Original poster
What I was told about the installation is that the switch need to be installed with the brake pedal depressed and then released after the switch is installed.
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Performed · outcome unconfirmed · Original poster
The fuse is good, the bulbs are good and I�ve replaced the brake light switch.
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Suggestion
Check for both 12V+ through the whole circuit and then check for ground continuity at the brake lights.
Explicit resolution reports before identified causes, performed actions and suggestions. Within each level, matching component labels precede direct query mentions and inherited thread context; successful versus unsuccessful discussion counts, owner confirmations and independent discussion support determine order. This is not a probability of success.
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Suggestion
Check for both 12V+ through the whole circuit and then check for ground continuity at the brake lights.
These are separate views of the same evidence. Frequency alone does not establish a fix, and these counts must not be added together.
Install second switch and brake lights are working fine
1
Reported fixes
0
Unsuccessful attempts
1
Discussions
Read evidence and context
Discussions that report a fix
1
1 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.
0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Reported fix · Original poster
Installed a second switch and brake lights are working fine. Either the replacement switch was faulty or I managed to damage it during the installation, either way all is good now and back on the road !
Discussions that performed work without a confirmed outcome
1
0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.
0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Performed · outcome unconfirmed · Original poster
What I was told about the installation is that the switch need to be installed with the brake pedal depressed and then released after the switch is installed.
These are separate views of the same evidence. Frequency alone does not establish a fix, and these counts must not be added together.
Install second switch and brake lights are working fine
1
Reported fixes
0
Unsuccessful attempts
1
Discussions
Read evidence and context
Discussions that report a fix
1
1 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.
0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Reported fix · Original poster
Installed a second switch and brake lights are working fine. Either the replacement switch was faulty or I managed to damage it during the installation, either way all is good now and back on the road !
Counts describe captured discussions, not unique people or a diagnosis. Author identities are not reliably stored. Exact duplicate evidence is counted once across matching discussions; one discussion counts at most once per action/state. Multiple repairs reported together remain a combination. Suggestions and failed attempts do not establish a fix. Matches cover whole discussions and can include related faults, model variants and incomplete threads.
11 eligible posts · 0 unverified posts · 1 discussions match the subject in their title or opening post.
Rennlist: 1 discussions
0 evidence records excluded for query context · 0 excluded by outcome qualification · 0 adjusted by outcome qualification.
1 acknowledgements have no verified action link; they do not establish a repair result.
Outcome without a verified action link
I ordered the switch from the local porsche dealer and it worked fine.
I have a 2002 996 cab. Just recently all three brakes lights stopped working. The fuse is good, the bulbs are good and I�ve replaced the brake light switch. Any other ideas on where to look?
Time to test the brake light switch(especially if replaced with cheap non-OEM part) and then the circuit.
Are you getting voltage to the fuse, to the switch, and to bulbs?
Let us know where it's failing and then we can make some "educated" guesses.
Check for both 12V+ through the whole circuit and then check for ground continuity at the brake lights. There is a common ground for the brake lights, although I don't know where it is...somewhere in the engine bay. In other words, pull the brake lights and check the ground wire continuity to ground with a multimeter. Did I say that right?
thank you for the replies.
I have power to the fuse and the switch, none to the brake lights. The replacement switch was OEM from a P dealer. My wife notice the brake lights blinked ‘on’ for a second then went ‘off’. First thought was loose connection somewhere but it happened several times while exercising the switch. As unlikely as it sounds I may have gotten a bad switch.
I’ll try installing another switch tomorrow and will let you know the outcome.
You can test the switch before installing it. Just use your fingers to "exercise" the switch. Make sure you are doing the brake pedal switch and not the clutch switch. I've heard that some people mix them up under the dash.
With a cabriolet it's possible you got water in the interior and the connectors are corroded. I spent over 100 dollars on a new rollover module only to discover this issue. The harnesses run along the side of the car on each side and connect directly behind the seats. Check out my video series on the electrical issues I diagnosed. Get some DeoxIT and clean the connectors. Also check your grounds under the seats. Corrosion/Rust can make things behave like this.
Thanks you for all the feedback. Installed a second switch and brake lights are working fine. Either the replacement switch was faulty or I managed to damage it during the installation, either way all is good now and back on the road !
That�s the clue it�s the switch. The switch doesn�t work throughout its entire range of operation (pedal travel).
I had the same issue on my Boxster S when someone told me my brake lights weren�t working, but I checked and saw the brake lights come on during a test. Most people don�t test by really pushing the pedal down really hard, but of course, the most important part of brake lights are going to be under high braking scenarios. This is an important safety consideration and I�m not sure anyone in the business of testing brake lights (states that require safety tests, DEs or track events, etc.) are testing fully this way.
I'm also fighting a 996.2 (2002) C2 Cab brake light switch issue for a couple months. Mechanic said it's a common failure, and the "flicker" you described is also common. Going on verbal discussion, I believe the switch has 2 circuits one for the brake light itself and on that goes to the ABS/cruise control system. My main symptom is intermittent ABS/PASM light and fail, maybe every 2-3 trips. However we "might" have seen the flicker once very fleetingly. They said it's very common failure nowadays on 996/986 ... but the issue is getting parts that work! Simple replace of the switch (10 minutes) will fix all issues. They ordered one, it looked right but just didn't quite fit. A few others never showed up. Then finally they got one that is the correct fit, but it doesn't work - still fails ABS but with a slightly different tempo. They said bad replacement is also an increasingly common issue.
If you have a source for working switches please let me know!
I ordered the switch from the local porsche dealer and it worked fine. Had to wait awhile as the switch needed to be ordered. What I was told about the installation is that the switch need to be installed with the brake pedal depressed and then released after the switch is installed. Apparently the switch has two settings depending uPon the throw of the brake pedal.
hope that helps and good luck
I ordered two from Amazon, allegedly one original one Beck and Arnley. Supposed to arrive by the 29 the. Fingers crossed at least one will arrive and work.
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