6 replies to this topic

[blackjack1986]

Hi, having a bit of a problem tonight. Just fixed up a new reverse light switch and now reverse lights work, but now the brake lights don't work. Brake switch is fine, tail lights work, heated screen works, fuse is fine. Any ideas?

[Spider]

Maybe your asking a bit much having working Reversing Lights and Brakes Lights both in the same period 

 

Check the obvious but easily over-looked first - the Bulbs, I'd suggest powering them up as these days, just looking at them doesn't always reviel that they are gone.

 

Next, I'd check with a Meter (or test lamp) that you are getting power down to the Stop Lamps when the brakes are operated.

 

Also, what makes you think the Switch is fine?  

[blackjack1986]

I know that the switch works because it is brand new and has worked since I fit it last week. It was only when I put the car into reverse since wiring up the reverse switch when they stopped working. I will check the bulbs but as the tail lights work I doubt both bulb's brake filaments have gone in 1 day!

[Dan]

Do you mean they don't work while the reverse lamps are on or they don't work at all?

[blackjack1986]

They do not work at all.

[blackjack1986]

I mean, the brake lights worked, until I engaged the reverse switch and now the brake lights don't work at all, in reverse or not. I have cut the green live wire that connects to the brake switch and tried wiring it to another live source but that does not make any difference, plus everything else that runs on that green wire works fine as I said above.

[Dan]

Don't go about randomly chopping wires in your wiring, you'll just make the whole thing unreliable and potentially dangerous. This is the kind of previous owner poor quality wiring bodgery most of us have to deal with in an old Mini. You could have supplied alternative power just by unplugging the cable from the switch and feeding it there. Work the problem and fix that.

Get a meter or even just a test lamp. Check there is power to the switch, then check there is power from the switch when closed. Then work along the circuit. Find the front to rear loom connection (by the wiper motor until SPi cars and below the dash after) and check there is power there on the green/purple with the switch closed. Then go to the left stop lamp and check there. This circuit doesn't have many joints to test.

Having said that, I would imagine what you have done is disturb the switch position when working on the reverse switch somehow. If you pulled the carpet you may have knocked it. Have you tried just bypassing the switch?