Brake light switch replacement

[Peterapollo11]

Hi everyone,
It seems my brake light switch on my 2012 SL350 R230 is starting to give me problems. When I try to move the gear lever out of Park it sometimes won't move unless I press further on the brake pedal.
I have ordered a new brake light switch and was wondering if anyone here has experience of replacing one. It looks very easy but I have two questions:
1. In what position should the plunger be when you insert it in the hole. Should it be extended and pulled all the way out? Or in? Or doesn't it matter?
2. Does the car need to be told via the OBD that a new one has been fitted, does it need to be updated in any way or it simply a straight swap over with no other procedure?

Thanks very much.

 

[onefortheroad]

Plenty of videos on you tube . I replaced mine but its the newer no plunger type.

I didnt use obd , plug n play ..

 

[Peterapollo11]

Hi thanks for your reply, Is the non plunger type specific to the year and model of your car so it was a like for like replacement or is it an updated version of the plunger type?
I did look on YouTube but when I spoke to a Mercedes specialist he told me it had to be programmed / updated to the car with the OBD. Not sure if that was to justify charging me more for such a small job.
Thanks.

 

[Wighty]

Hi thanks for your reply, Is the non plunger type specific to the year and model of your car so it was a like for like replacement or is it an updated version of the plunger type?
I did look on YouTube but when I spoke to a Mercedes specialist he told me it had to be programmed / updated to the car with the OBD. Not sure if that was to justify charging me more for such a small job.
Thanks.

Not the same car , but when I did my E class a few years ago it was a push and twist or similar to get the plug in (I think) , mine was above the pedals somewhere

 

[onefortheroad]

Hi thanks for your reply, Is the non plunger type specific to the year and model of your car so it was a like for like replacement or is it an updated version of the plunger type?
I did look on YouTube but when I spoke to a Mercedes specialist he told me it had to be programmed / updated to the car with the OBD. Not sure if that was to justify charging me more for such a small job.
Thanks.

Yes . It came later on. Not sure when . Maybe 2015 ???

Ignore this specialist. Its just a wired multi plug , the car won't even know its been changed.

 

[Peterapollo11]

Thank you for the replies.
Mine is a 2012 so it's the older version with the white plunger bit that goes in and out.
Fitting it is very easy but it's whether the plunger should be extended all the way out or in when I fit it. Or is there anything I should be aware of while doing it.
Many thanks.

 

[onefortheroad]

Ff to 1 min 40 secs.

 

[Peterapollo11]

Didint fix his problem as it may have been some other issue. But then again he just fitted it without thinking about the plunger then said the old one was shorter?
Thats all I am trying to find out, if there is something to be aware of when fitting it, does it matter if its pulled out extended all the way or should it be pushed all the way in when installing?
I have no warnings lights at all, just that I have to press the brake pedal further to disengage out of Park.
Many thanks

 

[EmilysDad]

try pushing the plunger in by a click

 

[onefortheroad]

If the new plunger is longer the car will think the brakes are on. You need the exact same length part.