Brake Light switch causes 'Engine Workshop' warning!

[sharc]

Hi All

I have a 2003 Bora 130TDI which I've had for about 3 years.

In that time, I've probably been through about 6 left brakelight bulbs, as it regularly fails, and I either replace it or simply have to take the bulb assembly out and put it back in again to get it working.

Last week, a colleague told me that the light was not working again, and the same day I got an 'Engine Workshop' warning on the computer and the coil light in the instrument panel was flashing. It was going in for a cambelt change anyway so I asked them to check for the cause of the warning (expecting the worst!) They charged me 59 quid for the 2 minutes it must have taken them to plug in a computer and read the fault and what they came back with was....

Faulty Brake light Switch.

They quoted another 62 quid to replace it and I told them, no, not at the moment, as I wanted to do my own research.

The result of that research was that the switch is a pretty easy DIY replacement job, and also that a dodgy bulb can cause the same warning, so I was glad that I'd not asked for them to replace it.

When I went back to pick up the car, I asked them how much the switch cost and the woman serving said 'eight pounds'. I gave her a funny look, and, guessing what I was thinking, she said 'But it needs programming in'.

Now, to me, this sounds like an out-and-out lie. It's just an electric switch activated by you pressing down on the pedal. Does anyone know for sure if this is true or not? If it's not, then surely they shouldn't be telling people this!

Also, does anyone have any experience about faulty brake lights causing this message, and whether my bulb might be the problem rather than the switch?

Cheers

Andy

[Issac Hunt]

A replacement switch doesent need any programming in. However the fault codes that a failed switch can cause should be cleared using diagnostic equipment.

They are a very common part to fail though, often the cause of many problems.

[sharc]

Hmm, well, I guess I can sort of let them off then. I guess that the amount they quote for replacement is actually quite reasonable considering the time taken to get to, and replace the switch. My garage charges £80 per hour.