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I recently wrote about the intermittent behavior of the brake light switch in my 1998 BMW 323is. So, I ordered a replacement part from Bavarian Autosport at the reasonable price of ~$18. The part was automatically identified for me based on information I supplied while navigating the site. So, I assumed it was correct. Unfortunately, this wasn't the case.

There are two designs for the brake light switch in BMW's E36 series: a four-pin switch, and a two-pin switch. I had ordered the two-pin switch when my car requires the four-pin switch. I'm a bit disappointed by this, and hardly consider paying the return shipping costs worthwhile for a part that cost less than $20. So, I ordered the correct part from Pelican Parts instead. They also feature an excellent write-up on how to perform the repair.

I think that doing your own auto repairs is great in non-emergency situations. In my case, I can stand to wait another week because the light failure is a rare occurrence. If I were to take the car into a garage, it would likely cost me upwards of $75 and I wouldn't learn anything about the workings of my car in the process. I understand there is a degree of inconvenience and risk involved in working on one's car, but I think that having a knowledge of how things work helps cultivate an appreciation for technology that we'd otherwise take for granted.

Here are some things I learned:

• A lot of trash can collect in the foot-well of a car.


• Laying inverted in the driver's seat of a sports coupe can yield a mind-altering head-rush.


• It's a good idea to disconnect wires from interior panels before attempting their removal.


• The PowerBook gets good WiFi reception in the garage. Crank up iTunes and let's party!