You can easily operate the switch with your fingernail and hear a distinct on/off - do all of this with the machine off. When the lever is in the full on position, you should still be able to move the switch "in" a small amount. If, by some chance, the switch bottomed out prior to the lever being full on, this would not be right.

Moving the lever down about 35 degrees shuts off the pump with Anita.

Hi Eric,

Tried both your tests and they checked out fine. The problem is still there - seems to be the lever moves down to the 35 degree full off position and the pump switches off after pre-infusion when the pressure in the pressure in the group is just starting to force coffee out of the puck. When I re-engage the lever it stays in. This is really bugging me.

Soon after I got the machine - before this problem arose - I noticed it took about 10 seconds for the first drops of espresso to start appearing - a little longer than I am used to - does that suggest anything?

What is it that starts to push back when the grouphead is under pressure that could make the lever twist down and shut off the pump. Much appreciate the benefit of your expertise, and loving the Grouphead thermometer which I bought through Chris Coffee.

Surindha

Without hesitation, I would make a call (and send an email) to the dealer you purchased the Bricoletta from. If nothing else, at least this puts the problem on record.

As the brew lever is moved from vertical to horizontal, the only force opposing this motion is the compression of the brew spring. When the brew lever is horizontal, this force acts straight down onto one of the high points of the cam. Short of some unusual wear on the cam or pin(s), I am stumped.

Thanks again Eric - a friend in the coffee business came over and thought there was definitely something not right about the lever. Its default position is at 45 degrees - rather than vertical - in fact it tends to spring back to the 45 degree position from either vertical or horizontal. I really appreciate the help.

It sounds like the cam followers, 16 & 22, in the picture above may be worn, or possibly the cam itself. My bottom cam follower is getting worn and the lever will sometime "pop" back up to about 45 degrees instead of staying vertical after I push it down.
There are good directions on how to take apart the e61 group in this forum, take a look at those and see if those parts are work. They're an easy replacement.

Thanks all for sharing your expertise. I contacted the dealer and he sent me replacement pins. I also bought new springs and a cam so now I am stocked up! It was most likely a combination of new springs and too much lube. Everything is working great now, and I love the bric...though it's more like a tank. The shot quality is ridiculously high and consistent. Best regards!