How to check the brake light frog - why and how to find the cause

01/26/2022 3,895 Light and sound devices

Author: Ivan Baranov

The purpose of the brake light is to warn drivers behind you about braking. It should turn on as soon as the brake pedal is pressed. If the stop is faulty, it can cause an accident. The article discusses the brake light, the principle of operation, typical malfunctions, methods for eliminating them, and provides instructions for replacing them yourself.

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Brake pedal sensor Lada Kalina

Lada Priora Sedan constructor, assemble it yourself Logbook Mileage and clutch replacement

The Kalina brake pedal sensor is a technical device that is used to monitor the degree of impact on the brake pedal. Quite often, car owners of the VAZ line complain about breakdowns or incorrect adjustment settings of the product.

Fortunately, the process of adjusting or replacing a part is not very difficult if certain nuances are observed.

Performance diagnostics

Checking the functionality consists of: 1. Testing the product with a multimeter. 2. Disassembly and visual inspection of the internal components of the part.

3. Replacement sensor is not known to be good.

The first method involves alternately measuring the contacts of the dismantled sensor. The point is to check each contact individually and in pairs (second and third contact). This is quite convenient to do, since at the place where the contact chip is connected, all connectors are numbered.

The second method is used to identify faulty or deformed internal elements of the product (in most cases, damaged springs).

There should be no traces of oxidation or contamination. If there are any, clean them out.

The third method is quite simple and trivial. Install a new part to replace the one whose serviceability you doubt.

When the system is restored to normal operation, the malfunction indicator (check engine) should go out (if it does not disappear within 15 minutes, the error should be reset manually).

Signs of a faulty brake pedal sensor Lada Kalina

In order to understand that the Kalina brake pedal position sensor is the cause of the vehicle’s incorrect operation, pay attention to the following signs:

• presence of error “P-0504” on the dashboard;
• a significant decrease in power and engine responsiveness when pressing the gas pedal;
• increase in engine speed (short-term) when changing gears.

Main causes of sensor failure

In order to identify the reasons that interfere with the normal operation of the device, it is necessary to disassemble it and carry out a thorough inspection to identify deformations and damage. The following defects are most common:

• the internal (small) spring, which is located on the rod, shows signs of deformation or distortion;
• the contact terminals of the product have physical oxidation;
• backlash of the moving contact;
• Quite low quality of factory production (defective, flimsy internal elements of the device).

Adjusting the brake pedal sensor Kalina

If the sensor is in good condition, and incorrect operation of the internal combustion engine continues to bother you, try adjusting the product yourself

Please pay attention to the following features:

1. The sensor must be screwed in clockwise until the brake pedal begins to move down. Then you will need to slightly unscrew the product and secure its position using the fastening nut.
2. The result should be such that when there is no action on the pedal, the sensor rod is recessed into the housing, and when the pedal is applied, on the contrary, it is completely released from the housing.
3. As for the working gap, it is adjusted using two nuts (one at the top, the other at the bottom). The adjustment is carried out using the upper nut, which is tightened, and the lower one, on the contrary, is unscrewed. The entire process is carried out until the button is completely recessed into the body when the brake pedal is applied. However, you should not overdo the adjustment; in other words, you should leave a small gap or travel margin (approximately 2 to 5 millimeters).

Removal and installation

Replacing the brake pedal sensor on Kalina is carried out using an adjustable wrench set to “19”. The sensor itself is located above the brake pedal under the steering column. Conventionally, the removal stages can be divided into 5 steps:

1. Before starting electrical work, it is recommended to disconnect the negative wire (terminal) from the battery.
2. Then you need to move into the car interior on the driver’s side. For ease of operation, it is advisable to move the driver's seat in the opposite direction from the dashboard.
3. Find the location of the sensor. Find a contact chip with wires. Press and hold the 2 plastic fasteners located on both sides of the chip. Pull the connector out of the sensor connector.
4. Take the wrench in your hands and loosen the fastening nut. After which the sensor can be unscrewed freely.
5. The installation process is similar to the removal procedure, except that you will need to make adjustments (tuning), the process of which is described in detail in the previous section.

Video “Replacing a foot on a Mercedes”

This video demonstrates how to replace a brake light with your own hands using the example of a Mercedes (the author of the video is Ivan Poknya).

The reasons for replacing rear lights on a VAZ 2110-2112 can be different and the main ones are the following:

damage due to unsuccessful parking or an accident

This repair procedure is quite simple and you can do everything yourself, having only a few tools on hand, the list of which is given below:

1. Phillips blade screwdriver
2. Ratchet handle
3. 8 mm head
4. Extension

Causes of a malfunctioning brake pedal sensor

You can understand the reasons only by looking at the essence of the problem, namely by disassembling this ill-fated sensor. The obstacle on this path is three fastening clips, which in no way allow it to be disassembled. After the “protective barrier” is overcome, you can see the true causes of error P0504, namely:

• the smaller spring located on the rod is deformed, unlike the larger one;

• sensor contacts are different in height;

• terminals made of bad steel;

• backlash of floating contact.

At the first stage of identifying a malfunction, you can use a “continuity test”. It is necessary to ring each contact individually, as well as in pairs (3rd and 2nd contacts). If we rely on the experience of predecessors, then the specified group of contacts rings in a dull tone, which indicates their malfunction. The remaining contacts beep loudly and loudly.

The operating principle of the brake pedal sensor is as follows:

• the rod is inside and presses the floating contact to the upper group - the pedal is released;

• the rod is inside and presses the floating contact to the lower group - the pedal is depressed.

The principle of operation is quite simple, but as practice shows, it does not work. The whole problem lies in a crooked floating contact that could get caught on the spring, as a result of which a signal was sent to the BC to apply the brake.

where is the switch, frog and repeater located

The purpose of the brake light is to warn drivers behind you about braking. It should turn on as soon as the brake pedal is pressed. If the stop is faulty, it can cause an accident. The article discusses the brake light, the principle of operation, typical malfunctions, methods for eliminating them, and provides instructions for replacing them yourself.

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The principle of operation of the brake light

The brake lights are located at the rear of the car. Red lanterns. They light up automatically if the driver brakes. When the driver takes his foot off the brake pedal, they are also automatically turned off. The presence of stops is mandatory for vehicles.

The lights should be located symmetrically and burn brighter than the side lights. Brake lights are installed on the sides, on the rear window, in the center above the line of the side stops.

Primary and secondary brake lights can be a single bulb, a neon tube, or a set of LED bulbs. The car enthusiast is additionally equipped with a brake light repeater. The rear brake light can also serve as a fog light. You can install a formula 1 brake light (the author of the video is Mikhail Ermolaev).

The simplest brake light includes a breaker (switch) and a flashlight. The brake light switch is often called the frog switch. The plastic body of the breaker contains two terminals, a rod and a spring. This device is installed on the brake pedal.

When the driver presses the pedal, the rod enters the breaker body, the contact closes and the light comes on. As soon as the driver removes his foot from the brake pedal, the spring pushes out the rod, the contacts open and the light goes out.

LED brake lights consist of a chip and a sensor, which in this case is a frog, it sends a signal when the driver presses the brake. As with the single lamp, the frog is mounted under the brake pedal.

Foot control device diagram

Any pedal has free play. Therefore, although the driver presses the pedal, the car does not brake immediately. The brake light comes on as soon as the brake pedal is pressed. Drivers of vehicles behind will become aware of braking before the vehicle begins to brake. This way they have time to prepare for braking.

Possible malfunctions: signs and causes

If the feet do not burn, the reason may be the following:

• bad contacts;
• damage to the wiring located in the corrugation between the door and the body;
• burnt out lighting elements.

There is a situation when the brake lights are constantly on if the side lights are on. In this case, the headlights may not light up. If they are turned off, additional lighting fixtures operate normally.

In this situation it is possible:

• the contacts of the parking lights and stop lights have been short-circuited;
• there is no weight on the dimensions;
• the two-pin lamp is faulty;
• the circuit closed, but did not open.

If the parking lights and brake lights are on and the ignition is turned off, then you need to check whether the lampshades are shorted to the housing. The reason may be poor contact of the negative wire with ground.

Methods for troubleshooting

Troubleshooting is not a complicated process and even novice car enthusiasts can do it (the author of the video is Avtoelektika VC).

First of all, you should check the integrity and condition of the wiring.

Using a multimeter, you need to test the wiring. Damaged or torn sections should be replaced intact or soldered. If there are traces of oxidation processes on the contacts, they need to be cleaned.

If the LEDs burn out, they need to be replaced in pairs. If the breaker fails, it must be replaced with a new one, as it cannot be repaired. Before replacing, turn off the vehicle's power by removing the negative terminal from the battery. Then disconnect the power wires from the breaker. Next, you need to loosen the lock nut and unscrew the main nut securing the switch to the bracket.

Replacing the brake light switch

Before installation, the new frog should be checked for functionality. This can be done using an ohmmeter. We connect the device to the device and measure the resistance. When the contact is closed, the resistance should be zero. If you press the rod, the contacts should open; the resistance in this case tends to infinity.

Replacing a stop repeater with your own hands

If repairing the repeater is not practical, it should be replaced.

The replacement process consists of the following steps:

1. Using a wrench, unscrew the fastenings of the rear part of the stop and remove it.
2. Then we connect the positive wire of the lighting fixture to the terminal where the brake light frog is located. To do this, you need to run the wire into the luggage compartment, unscrew the trim on the right side, and connect it to the desired terminal. The disadvantage may be a bolt in the luggage compartment.
3. Heat shrink should be applied to the wiring. To prevent the wires from dangling, they need to be secured with insulating tape.
4. The final step is to check the device for functionality.

Photo gallery

If a repeater with incandescent lamps is installed on the car, then when connecting a device with LEDs according to the above diagram, the lamp control will not work correctly due to different loads. In this case, you should insert the positive wire into the light bulb control unit and connect it to terminal 54H.

As a brake light, a strip with LEDs can be glued to the upper part along the entire length of the rear window. It needs to be connected to a standard device, and it will work in the same way. It is important to maintain polarity. To make the tape less conspicuous, it can be painted black. Attach the tape using double-sided tape. We check for functionality.

Conclusion

To protect yourself and other road users, you need to monitor the serviceability of your brake lights.

If any malfunctions are discovered, they urgently need to be eliminated. You can perform many operations yourself. This way, you can save time and money on visiting a service station. But if you have no experience in electrical work, it is better to trust a specialist.

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Video “Replacing a foot on a Mercedes”

This video demonstrates how to replace a brake light with your own hands using the example of a Mercedes (the author of the video is Ivan Poknya).

avtozam.com

Error code p0504 Lada

Owners of LADA cars with an electronic gas pedal may encounter error P0504 (mismatch of brake pedal sensors). Along with it, malfunctions in the engine may appear (stalls, speed fluctuates, does not start, etc.). Most often the cause is the brake pedal position sensor (brake light sensor or frog).

The brake pedal position sensor and brake light switch are mounted in one housing. Most often, the cause of its malfunction is a broken spring. In this case, you can repair the sensor yourself by replacing the spring with a new one. Or replace the sensor with a new one.

HOW TO REMOVAL AND INSTALL

Disconnect the negative terminal of the battery. Move the driver's seat as far back as possible, lift the steering column up, and remove the carpet. The sensor is located near the brake pedal, to remove it you need to remove the block with wires (by snapping the latches), and then:

• (Priora, Kalina, Granta, Niva 4×4) loosen the lock nut and unscrew the sensor.
• (Largus, Vesta, XRAY) turn the sensor counterclockwise 90 degrees and remove it from the bracket.

Installation of the brake pedal sensor is carried out in reverse order. Adjust it if necessary. We tighten the sensor until the pedal goes down. Then turn it out a little (counterclockwise 90 degrees) and secure with a lock nut. It should be so that when the brake pedal is released, the switch rod is completely “recessed”, and when the pedal is pressed, the rod should completely come out of the switch body. The process of removing and installing the sensor is also shown in the video:

HOW TO CHECK

Turn on the ignition and press the brake pedal, the brake lights should light up. After releasing the pedal they should go out. If the lamps do not light up, check the brake pedal sensor and the voltage supply from the battery to the wiring harness block.

(Largus, Vesta, XRAY) Move the rod lock to the right position using a screwdriver. We check the brake pedal sensor using a multimeter in ohmmeter mode. Circuit 3-4 should be closed (resistance value is close to zero), and circuit 1-2 should be open (resistance should tend to infinity). After pressing the rod, circuit 3-4 should open, and circuit 1-2 should close. Before installation, move the rod to the left position.

Ideas for tuning Lada Xray

(Priora, Kalina, Granta, Niva 4x4) Circuit 1-4 should be closed, and circuit 2-3 should be open. After pressing the rod, circuit 2-3 will close, and circuit 1-4 will open.

Thus, the cause of error P0504 may be:

• faulty sensor or its wiring
• Brake pedal sensor is not adjusted
• ECM needs to be reprogrammed