Brake lights always on my 1985 T25

[jakestroudley]

I have a RHD 1985 T25 and the brake lights are staying on full time. I have read a post to see what the issue is, and I think I understand that the switch which is causing the problem is located behind the instrument panel.
My question is, how do I get to it to replace it or do whatever I need to do to it? Is it a big job or is it something I could handle?
Any advice or step by step guide to the fix?
Any useful responce gratefully appreciated

[The Hairy Camper]

What switch are you intending on removing? Headlamp switch? I've not heard of this issue before, but removal of the dash is a simple job.

[silverbullet]

The brake light switch is screwed into the master cylinder and is a wet switch, sonwill require the brakes to be bled afterwards. Potentially messy job.
I'd check behind the instrument pack to see if there is potential for a short to earth, it appears to be a parallel double pole switch which gives redundancy in the event of one switch failing.

[jakestroudley]

Thank you for the responses, here's a weird thing, the lights have gone off over night. Battery is full because it's on a drip charger, van starts fine. Im going to get a friend to press the brake pedal while I watch the lights. If the y stay on again and turn off later on, has anyone any idea on that?
Bemused.
Something to do with the heat? And turning off in the (slightly) cooler night???
Thanks

[silverbullet]

Could be a symptom of residual brake system pressure, which would indicate a seized brake piston in a caliper.

[mickcorr]

In response to your question regarding the brake lights suddenly behaving themselves all I can say is that I experienced that as well. All was fine for a while and then the problem of sticking brake lights re-appeared.
For the sake of a few quid I just changed out the brake switch (as explained above). It wasn't that messy but I did have to bleed the brake system before the new switch would activate. No further problems since.

[jakestroudley]

Thank you Silver Bullet and Mickcorr, I would spend mire than a couple of quid on my van. So I will change the brake switch, can you advise where I can get one from?
At night when it cools down the light goes off, but when I press the brake pedal the light comes on but stays on again. Also yesterday, the light was off in the morning, but as the day got hotter, it came back on again on its own.
Would that possibly be sir expanding on the brake system? I'm such surmising as i haven't a clue...

But if someone vould'sdvise where to get a brake switch for this 1985 T25 that would be very helpful

Thanks yo all agaiin

[silverbullet]

I would start at the actual brakes as it seems to be temperature related. Check the caliper pistons and/or sliding pins for binding or drag.
1985 should be late sliding calipers at the front but anything is possible.
When releasing the brake pedal the piston(s) should draw the pads back a tiny bit to give running clearance and prevent running.
If thats not happening then it could indicate a problem elsewhere, even a faulty recuperation valve in the master cylinder could do it.
Its a process of elimination.

[The Hairy Camper]

But if someone vould'sdvise where to get a brake switch for this 1985 T25 that would be very helpful

Brickwerks sell the switches and everything you will need to sort it out. Email them a picture of what you need, they are very helpful and knowledgeable.

If your brakes haven't been bled in a while I would replace the switches and get some fresh fluid and bleed the system. Not a hard job with the right equipment or an extra pair of hands/feet.

I overhauled my brake system last year and it made a huge difference.