12 replies to this topic

[paul_s]

Got flashed a couple times on the way home so I thought it best to check the lights when I got in.

Discovered Thayer the brake lights aren't working! I checked the fuses and they're all ok. All the other lights are working fine too. (Reversing, tail, fog, indicators etc)

Any suggestions? Haven't checked the bulbs yet but I'd be surprised if it was that .?

[robminibcy]

no brake lights and tail lights are the same bulb with differant filaments so i dont think that if the tail lights work the brake lights wouldnt. have a look to see if one of the two wires going to the switch on the pedal has been kicked out.

[paul_s]

Thanks,I'll check that in the morning.

Hopefully it's something simple like that, don't fancy the drive in otherwise: doubt many other drivers remember their hand signals

[paul_s]

I checked the switch this morning and it all looks fine, both plugs are in and the connections look ok. Still no lights though.
I've borrowed my wife's car to get to work this morning, so I guess a weekend with the multimeter is in order

[Carlos W]

Join the wires and see if the brake lights come on, if they do you've got a faulty switch!

I assume you've checked the bulbs?

[paul_s]

Well, to be perfectly honest I haven't but as mentioned above the tail lights work, so I'd be surprised if one filament in both bulbs has gone. Although it is a mini I guess!

I'll check that when I get home, along with the bulbs (I know that should've been the first thing really). It must be early in the morning as it didn't occur to me to just the two wires together, thanks!

[Carlos W]

When did you see both brake lights working last?

Start with the bulbs!

[Cerberus]

Could be the bulbs, I had a brake light out on mine, but the sides still worked.

[JSnowDude]

Also worth pressing the switch without the brake pedal just to check that the switch hasn't slipped which could cause the lights not to come on when the brake pedal is pressed. This was the case with mine recently.

[Carlos W]

I hope this image helps.

One filament can work if the other has blown it is American though, which is why it refers to turn signals

Edited by Carlos W, 14 December 2012 - 11:34 AM.

[paul_s]

CarlosW you're an actual legend, thanks!
All this information and I'm just stuck here at my desk, looking at the rain and waiting to get straight out there and soaked when I get back. (bought some new bulbs at lunch )

[paul_s]

Well, turns out to have been the switch after all. New one on order, hopefully it'll turn up Monday..
I replaced the bulbs anyway, as they looked a bit brighter with the new bulbs (may just have been because I cleaned the crud out of the lenses though!)
Thanks for the help folks :)

[tiger99]

I had both bulbs fail at about the same time on a fairly modern car recently. Coincidences do happen, and the bulbs should always be the first thing to check.

Edit: Simultaneous post, it seems that it is not the bulbs this time, but having learned my lesson recently, checking fuses etc, I would still go for the bulbs first. As you have fitted new ones, they should now be ok for a few years of normal use.

Edited by tiger99, 14 December 2012 - 11:07 PM.