Brake Lamp Switch
The brake lamp switch is located under the instrument panel at the brake pedal arm. See Fig 1 . This switch contains 3 internal switches controlling various functions of the vehicle. One of them controls operation of the vehicles's brake lamps. Other functions of the internal switches include cruise control deactivation and brake sense for the ABS and the brake transmission shift interlock. When the brake pedal is in the released position, the plunger on the outside of the brake lamp switch is pushed inward by the brake pedal. In this position, the electrical contacts for one internal switch are open while the electrical contacts for the other 2 internal switches are closed. When the brake pedal is pressed, the plunger on the outside of the brake lamp switch extends outward. This action closes the electrical contacts for the remaining 2 switches within the brake lamp switch. The internal switch which closes when the brake pedal is pressed completes the circuit to the brake lamps at the rear of the vehicle, thus allowing illumination of the brake lamps and the center high mounted stop lamp.