4 replies to this topic

[nicksuth]

Model: Rover Cooper Mpi
Year: 1998
Description of problem - Fitted 3rd Brake Light and now lost n/s rear lights:

I have just fitted a 3rd brake light, the high level type you see in rear windows in the hope of avoiding trucks, vans etc. trying to park in my boot!!! (clear rear lenses fitted with coloured bulbs just don't seem bright enough for some drivers?)
Connected in to the o/s brake light wire (green/purple) and the near bye earth (black) which is a spade connection to o/s rear light cluster - now the rear n/s lights (side and brake lights) don't work at all.
Should I have connected it somewhere else? can't connect to n/s without shifting fuel tank, o/s seemed obvious choice to me???
Had to call a halt on checking around - rain stopped play.

Anyone had similar problems or just want to tell me where I've gone wrong???

[taffy1967]

How did you connect the wiring? Via a spade connector?

I've heard most people strip away a bit of the wiring sheath and use clips/clamps?

Edited by taffy1967, 21 January 2009 - 10:37 PM.

[nicksuth]

Just used a couple of those Scotch Block (?) connectors where you put the wires side by side and press a spade through with a pair of pliers, then clip the clasp bit over,no need to strip any sheathing back.

I have since found a circuit diagram of the MPi which actually shows a 3rd (High Level) Brake Light in the circuit. I've basically copied that apart from the earth which I Scotch Blocked to the earth wire which is attached to the o/s lamp unit. maybe I should have led the earth back to another point?

PS - I'm not convinced those Scotch Block's are very reliable now I've looked closely at a spare one I have????

Diagram attached below for reference.

[attachment=78546:Brake_an...am__MPi_.JPG]

[sixwheeler]

(clear rear lenses fitted with coloured bulbs just don't seem bright enough for some drivers?)

No they're not! I do have trouble with them and have foudn myself braking late because I struggle to see them, especially on bright days.

I have more trouble with modern cars with those stupid round light units with the indicator in the middle.

As to your problem, sounds like you might have upset the earth, try putting the new light to a seperate earth.

[nicksuth]

After disconnecting the earth wire and finding a new seperate earth point I found it was just a badly seating bulb - what the hell !!!
I had just fitted new seals between the lenses and reflector on the rear lights so must have knocked it?? A bit of wire wool and finger end did the trick (where I have heard that before???)

[attachment=78586:DSC00352.JPG]

Now I can say, "What do you mean you didn't see my brake lights"!!!!