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Brake light wont work
Posted: Sat Sep 15, 2012 5:25 pm
by oddbod
Offside brake light doesnt function. The bulb is fine,I've swapped the bulbs over, I cleaned up the earth to the rear bumper bolt in the boot, taken off the bullet connectors and cleaned them up. When I checked the bulb holders for power with the engine running and side light and brakes on there was power to both terminals, but when I put a bulb in the same element lights up no matter what should be turned on.Any offers of ways to get my brake light working (a bodge would do as long as it won't short out my wiring) Cheers Sean
Re: Brake light wont work
Posted: Sat Sep 15, 2012 5:45 pm
by MarkyB
Compare the relationship between the contacts and slots in both holders and the contacts on the bulbs too.
I've had to build up the solder blobs on bulbs before now.
Re: Brake light wont work
Posted: Sat Sep 15, 2012 7:49 pm
by bmcecosse
The lamp unit is not earthed - hence the filament ON finds a path to earth back through the second filament... Since the BRAKE filament is lower resistance - that's the one you see glowing - but it will not be full brilliance.
Re: Brake light wont work
Posted: Sat Sep 15, 2012 8:32 pm
by les
Earth the bulb holder manually with a short wire to the bodywork as a test to see if that works. Can't think of a bodge!!

Re: Brake light wont work
Posted: Wed Sep 19, 2012 11:41 pm
by oddbod
Thanks for the replies, I think an earthing problem is most likely. I'm going away on Friday,so am busy getting ready 4 Wales, but I'll get a teenager to try this week Les with your idea of a temporary earth!!
Re: Brake light wont work
Posted: Wed Nov 14, 2012 1:09 am
by oddbod
Its definately an earthing problem, which seems to have been solved for the moment by cleaning up the body earth again and applying a touch of copper slip to the mounting point. I'm sure the bad earthing will be a continual issue, but one thats fixable with a bit of elbow grease and some perseverance!