Brake Light Switch Problems and Solution

Frequently Asked Questions

I replaced the brake light switch and the problem is still there

Sort out which problem first, because they lead different ways. If the DASH WARNING LIGHTS are still on, the switch was not the fault, or not the only one. If the BRAKE LIGHTS themselves still do not come on, the circuit beyond the switch is suspect. Either way, check:

• Fuses and Relays
• ABS pump
• ABS wheel speed sensor
• Brake Fluid Level
• Get an advanced scanner to read trouble codes.

How difficult is it to replace the brake light switch on my Mercedes-Benz?

Changing the brake light switch is a simple task. Follow the directions on this page, and you can replace the brake light switch in less than 20 min.

How much does a Mercedes-Benz brake light switch cost?

You can find a replacement brake light switch for a very low price. Click on the Amazon link to see some of the best Mercedes-Benz Brake Stop Light Switches prices.

How much does it cost to change the stoplight switch?

At a mechanic repair shop, it can cost between $120-$250. If you do it yourself, it can cost less than $20. You will save $100+ by working 20 minutes.

Where can I buy the brake light switch for my Mercedes-Benz?

You can buy the brake light switch at your local Mercedes-Benz dealer, or you can get an OEM Genuine Mercedes-Benz switch on Amazon.

My brake lights stay on all the time, even parked

The switch can fail the other way as well. Stuck closed, it reports the pedal as pressed when it is not, so the brake lights stay lit with the car parked and locked. That flattens the battery overnight and the owner usually meets it as a no-start the next morning rather than as a lighting fault, so if you are chasing a battery that drains overnight, walk around the back of the car before you start pulling fuses.

The brake light is on. Is it the brake light switch?

Yes, it could be the brake light switch. Other problems could be such as a low brake fluid level or a failed ABS wheel speed sensor. There is no specific way to know without first doing some troubleshooting.

Where is the brake light switch located on a Mercedes-Benz?

Right above the brake pedal. If you remove the panel, you will see the brake light switch in the picture below.

ABS, ESP, and BAS lights are turned on. What should I do?

First, understand what those lights mean while they are lit: ABS, ESP, and BAS are not merely warning you; they have switched themselves off. Until the fault is fixed, you have ordinary brakes with no anti-lock, no stability intervention, and no brake assist, so leave more room and expect no help if a wheel locks or the car steps out in the wet.

A key cycle (engine off, key out, wait a few seconds, restart) will often drop the lights for a while, but understand what that is: the fault is still there, and the systems come back offline the moment it is detected again. It buys you a drive to the shop, not a repair. Of the various causes, the brake stop light switch is the first thing to inspect, and the BAS ESP ABS troubleshooting guide works through the rest.

Which Mercedes-Benz models are impacted by the defective brake light switch?

This is a common problem in Mercedes-Benz models E-Class, C-Class, S-Class, CLS-Class, ML-Class, and CLK-Class. Too many to list here, but the most frequently defective brake light switch problems are seen with E 320, C 240, CLK 500, ML 320, ML 350, and S 430. Starting back in 1996 model years up to the current models.