Brake light switch...

[scott s]

 OK, possible dumb question ahead....but I'm not at home and don't have my Haynes/Clymer manuals handy.
  I noticed this morning my brake lights aren't working. I've had to press hard on the pedal lately to get them to come on anyway. Soft braking, parking lot manuevers, etc. wouldn't light them up but firm prerssure would. Now, nothing.
  I figure it's the pressure switch on the master cylinder, right? Dumb question: If I unscrew the switch to replace it, will I lose brake fluid? Will I need to bleed the brakes again?
  Do you agree with my diagnosis?

 FWIW: Car is a '70 Beetle.

[Bad Bug Two]

A 70 should have a dual circuit master cylinder and will have two switches.  Most likely you will need to replace both.  If you do it quickly you shouldn't lose too much fluid and may get away without bleeding them.  It still won't hurt to bleed them just to be sure!

[scott s]

 Thanks. Do you use any type of thread sealant or bare threads?

[turbo_bob]

This happend to my brake lights too, it took alot of pressure to make them come on. What it came down to was dirty terminals on the switches. Clean them up with contact cleaner, tighten up the female spade terminals and all was OK.

[martin]

Add a relay to the brake light switch. It will lessen the load on it and make it last longer.

[scott s]

 Thanks guys, I'll try cleaning up the contacts and spade end s before replacing them.