Update: There are TWO switches on the top of the brake pedal arm and I was focusing only on the bottom switch, and it was the TOP switch/push button. It was sticking so I popped it out by pulling in with my fingers and then blindly rubbed some grease around the stem of the push button. I then pushed it in and out to spread grease and hopped in the drivers seat and gave the brake a few taps and it worked beautifully. I know this is probably a temp fix, but it gets me on the road for now. Does anyone know what the TWO triggers/switches/push-buttons at the top of the brake pedal are called? What does the bottom one do? Is that the one that will get my Rover stuck in park?

I recently purchased a 97 Discovery with a few issues and am trying to nurses it back to health and am having trouble overcoming some of the previous owners rigging jobs, especially the bizarre wiring choices he has made. However, I am not sure this problem stems from wiring, but this is what is happening:

My brake lights are only coming on part of the time, depending on how hard, quickly, and many times they are pushed. The guy I bought it from had ordered a brake switch and said that was the problem, but from what I have read on here, if that was the problem, I would be stuck in park which I am NOT. There is some questionable wiring in the rear to wire in trailer lights, but I am fairly certain that is not the problem either. It seems to be more about what angle I push on the brake pedal and how hard I push it when first pushing.

What is the tube that comes off of what appears to be the brake switch? It looks like an air hose and I am wondering if the system works off of air pressure in some way. Or, could it be something to do with the actually metal bracket that holds the switch having too much play in it? I am so new to the workings of this vehicle and am stuck here. Any help is much appreciated. Thanks in advance.

One last thing....the piece that I am referring to as the brake switch is a spring loaded black button that is held on with 3 clips, at the top of the brake pedal. However, the "brake switch" that the previous owner sent with me looks nothing like this, as it is a white push-button with an inch of so of threading around the button and a 2-pronged hookup at the opposite end. It does not appear to be a compatible part in my newbie opinion.

1997 Discover 4.0
134,000

 

its the brake switch and yes it wrong the one he gave you. there are actually two series in the switch itself that can stick.

buy one from Atlantic british or the dealer to get it overwith quick.

 

Thanks. I was able to get the wiring hookup apart, but unable to figure out how to remove the switch itself. Is it something I should be able to do by hand, or does it require a special tool? Does it screw out or have clips or a turn-lock similar to bulbs? It is just so hard to see up in there that I can't figure out how to remove it and the last thing I want to do is use to much force and break something off.

 

It goes in and twists. put your hand on the brake before putting it in.

 

the one with the tube is for the cruise control. look under the hood, next to the brake booster, you will see a vacuum line going through the firewall( or at least should be there). thats the line you see off the upper switch