Thanks for the response Ahsai, I did check the bulbs and they look good as I can see the filements aren't burnt or broken apart.

Both burning out at once would be unlikely, wouldn't it?

Did you remove the bulb and check the bulb socket base? Sometimes the metal spring contact is broken or weak and not making contact with the bulb. Would be easy if you have a multimeter to check for power at the socket while applying your brake.

Are you sure they failed at the same time?

Hmm that makes sence I'll give that a try. Thanks for giving me things to look at.

The way I found out I had this problem is a fellow pulled up next to me and said my left break light was out. Once I got home, I tested the breaks in a big mirror and saw only the centre light was working.

The rear light socket and wiring failures are quite common on 996 so it may also apply to Boxsters.

Late to the party but the repair info was still solid. Thanks for keeping old posts for us old guys to keep our old cars alive!

FYI- for those with normal sized hands/fingers (no offense intended) in order to twist the mew switch into place, I used a 19mm open end wrench on the brown part of the switch to push and turn it into place. Just re-attach the wiring harness and your done. What a terrible location for that switch.

Not going to make a new thread, just update this one. My brake pedal brake light switch lasted 21 years and 145,xxx miles and gave up the ghost. Ordered new OE Porsche brake switch and it should be here today. Pulled the old one in five minutes. Here is a picture of the innards. Note the corrosion and gunk on the contacts. New one I figure will take 5 minutes to install. Symptoms - no brake lights either side and/or flashing center brake light and no brake lights. Thanks for those who commented above in this thread.

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/rennlis...52eab70219.jpg

Famous last words..should take five minutes to install. Got new switch today. For the life of me I can insert the new switch but cannot get it to turn either way. I've been trying for an hour and it just won't move. I have pushed on it with all my might and tried to turn it and it just doesn't turn. I have pushed and jiggled it back and forth, up and down. Frustrating as all hell. This should be simple. I tried the 19mm wrench trick and that didn't work either. I can clearly see that it is in the slots but for some odd reason it won't rotate. My arm and shoulder hurt now...so walking away from it. This should be a one beer job. Looks like it is going to be 3 or 4. Dammit.

Amazing that this community is here. When my ABS and PSM lights lit up the dish, and it told me to drive straight to the shop, I got sweaty. I haven’t even owned the car for a month. However, new switch ordered, four letter words uttered, eventually I became one with the German engineering, and the new switch is in. Two beer job for me, one self high-five, just loving it.

Hey DBJoe996, did you find a good way of getting the switch to lock in? Thanks in advanced.

As I read your post and look back on it, I under-sold in my description. It took great, almost Herculean, strength the push in and twist the new switch into place. You can do it, have faith and persistence👍. Unfortunately I can't identify any special tips. Good luck

Yes. I took my Dremel and ground down the two plastic nubs on the switch slightly. Just shaved them a bit. Inserted switch in the bracket and turned it half a turn by hand. Simple one minute job. It never should have been that hard to install. Live and learn....