hi Neil.
I just keep a shiny moon hubcap that I can hang on the shop door behind the
van, to watch the brake lights in.
though you many not have that option.

I believe if either switch activates it turns on the brake lights.

I wouldn't think  booster push rod length would be a factor.
and I never touch that.

to me, it's somewhat characteristic .
I have seen quite a few vans that took a fair amount of brake pressure to
turn on the brake lights.
you could convert to a pedal activated switch ...
where as soon as the pedal moves down even a bit, brake lights are on.

Scott
www.turbovans.com

----- Original Message -----
From: "neil n" <musomuso@GMAIL.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Saturday, July 03, 2010 11:48 AM
Subject: Pedal Pressure & Brake Lights

> Hi all.
>
> It's likely that my brakes engage before brake lights come on. (need a
> helper to confirm this)
>
> From archives, 2 possible causes stuck out. Corrosion at bulbs, and
> rear shoes out of adjustment. i.e. fronts engage but rears too far
> away so extra pressure is needed to actuate switch for rear hydraulic
> circuit. But if one switch engages, all brake lights come on right? In
> my case, brakes work fine, pedal height is good, and has stayed
> consistent over several thousand miles, so the rears are working
> right. I'll check for corrosion at bulbs but they are likely fine.
>
> I recall checking the push rod adjustment on the new booster I
> installed ~4 years ago. Would an improperly adjusted push rod (on
> booster) affect amount of pedal pressure needed to turn brake lights
> on?
>
> What else would could be at fault here? Design flaw?
>
> Both brake light switches were replaced at time of booster install.
> AFAIK, the switch wiring is fine (untouched by me)
>
> No biggie, as the lights work. Would just like them to light up as
> soon as pedal is depressed.
>
> Neil.
>
> --
> Neil Nicholson '81 VanaJetta 2.0 "Jaco"
>
> http://tubaneil.googlepages.com/
>
> http://groups.google.com/group/vanagons-with-vw-inline-4-cylinder-gas-engines