Rear brake lights

xantiasmiff · Post by **xantiasmiff** » 09 Apr 2011, 20:59

Just home from work, reversed into driveway and only high-level brake light is working. Replaced bulbs on both sides but still no luck. Would A Dodgy brake switch cause this. Any ideas please?

spider · Post by **spider** » 09 Apr 2011, 21:09

If the high level one is still working properly, its highly unlikely to be the switch.

Although quite rare, is it possible you have faulty new bulbs or the wrong type (single vs double filament, not sure what you should have)

Do the other rear lights work OK ?, that would rule out an earthing issue. The actual feed will come from one side to the central light so its difficult to see how you could lose both but not the central one.

Carefully look at the wiring where you can without too much dismantling around the rear lights, if you have a test light / multimeter check to see if the signal is reaching the circuit board / plug for each rear light unit.

Post by **Peter.N.** » 09 Apr 2011, 21:49

I would concur with Andy, if the other lights work the supply must have failed but as its at the high level light the fault has to be between there and the main lamps.

You dont say what car it is, but if its a hatch back or estate the wiring could have failed where it goes from the body to the tailgate, if the main lamps are on the tailgate.

Peter

xantiasmiff · Post by **xantiasmiff** » 09 Apr 2011, 22:25

Sorry, the car is a Xantia Hdi hatchback. All the other lights are working. According to the BOL its covered by same fuse as air con, reversing lights and instrument lights and all these are functioning ok. Just thought it strange (even for a Xantia ) for both brake lights to fail at the same time. Thanks for your replies.

citronut · Post by **citronut** » 10 Apr 2011, 12:54

as said above if you centre lamp is working it wont be a fuse or your brake like switch, as the high level lamp is fed via the same as the side brake lights,

check all possabilatys at the rear light units and there plugs, and the tyrpe of bulb you are fitting,

regards malcolm

xantiasmiff · Post by **xantiasmiff** » 11 Apr 2011, 10:48

Appologies to everyone. I have had a Homer Simpson episode. I was looking at the tailgate bulbs , then it dawned on me this morning that the stop and tail light bulbs are located on the rear wings inside the boot!!DOH!! Thanks to all with suggestions. Just going to lie down in a dark corner for a half hour or so. :

Post by **Peter.N.** » 11 Apr 2011, 16:02

Don't worry, we have all done it

I once took my stop lamp switch apart only to find that both bulbs had gone!

Peter

Xaccers · Post by **Xaccers** » 11 Apr 2011, 16:52

The tail lights take the same bulb as the brake lights, the brake filiment just isn't ever activated, so you can do a quick swap if it's just the brake filiment that's, er, broken...