Brake light switch question

[crew]

No brake lights !!
The lights work when tested. They work when jumped across switch connections so I know the wiring is all good..
When voltage is applied to switch, it goes through when switch is open (lever NOT depressed) and does not go through when lever is depressed.
This seems backwards to me. Am I missing something?

Any thoughts?

[Marc]

The 914 uses 3-prong switches, doesn't it? They're double-throw switches so there is continuity (between Terminals 81 and 81a) at rest - this is what enables the warning lamp. The brake lights come on when there's continuity between the power-in Terminal 82a and Terminal 81.
http://www.nls.net/mp/volks/schem/3brake.gif

[Dave_Darling]

Let me guess--you just redid the bushings on the pedal cluster?

You've got the arm of the brake light switch on the wrong side of the washer on the pushrod. The switch is normally closed--spring loaded closed. When you push on the pedal, the spring in the switch pulls the switches arm forward, which closes the switch. When you let off the pedal, the washer on the pushrod pulls the switch arm back (against the spring on the switch), opening the switch.

--DD

[crew]

You've nailed it again. Thanks Dave !!
Those Germans do alot of things backwards to my way of thinking. in my world, the spring would be in the relaxed position at rest. The fact that it can easily be installed the wrong way is............simple, clever, definitly not fool proof.