How Long Does a Brake Light Switch Last?

The brake lights on a vehicle will help the motorist around you to be aware of when you are trying to bring your car to a stop. With all of the different parts on a car that contribute to the brake lights working, keeping up with them all can be a bit difficult. The brake light switch is one of the most important of these parts. This switch is connected to the brake pedal on a car and turns the light on when the brake pedal is pushed down. The only time that this part is used is when the pedal engages it.

For the most part, the brake light switch is built to last just as long as the car does. Generally, these switches will wear out due to the continuous use that they get. Being constantly pushed can wear out the internal components of this switch over time. Replacing this switch when it goes bad is important in maintaining a high degree of safety while on the road. If you do not have a fully functional brake light switch, then it will be hard to stay safe while driving in heavy traffic situations.

There are a number of things that can happen to a brake light switch that will render it unusable. Noticing the signs that this switch needs to be repaired can help to save you a lot of frustration in the long run. Replacing this switch when it is damaged is usually a job that is best left for the professional. A bad brake light switch will give plenty of warning signs when it needs to be replaced and here are some of them:

  • The brake lights are not working on a consistent basis
  • Not able to take the car out of Park
  • The brake lights are not working at all
  • There is visible damage to the switch
  • The switch has frayed or damaged wires

Being able to engage your brake lights when needed is an essential part of staying safe while on the road. A good working brake light switch will be able to keep the lights illuminated when needed. A mechanic can replace your brake light switch so that you don’t encounter any problems down the road.


The statements expressed above are only for informational purposes and should be independently verified. Please see our terms of service for more details

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