Brake Light Problems

tim leech · Post by **tim leech** » 08 Sep 2009, 17:17

My Xantia has developed a strange fault, when I press the brake pedal and the barke lights come on, the side lights come on too, even the side light warning lamp on the dash does too!

Post by **Peter.N.** » 08 Sep 2009, 17:37

You have a bad earth connection to the light cluster, the voltage to the stop lamps instead of going to earth is going to the earthy end of the side lights and returning to earth via the other lights in that circuit. If you cant find where the earth is connected, run a seperate wire to a convenient point.

Peter

Post by **myglaren** » 08 Sep 2009, 17:40

My first assumption there would be a bad earth somewhere , most likely in the brake light circuit. You see it a lot on the indicator circuit where a load of random lights flash instead of or as well as the indicators.

The other thing that causes it and other problems is the wrong bulb being used - some of the bayonets have a slightly different offset and if one of these bulbs is fitted inadvertently then all sorts of problems arise.
If you have recently fitted new dual filament brake light bulbs, check them first.

ED: Bugger, beaten to it!

citronut · Post by **citronut** » 08 Sep 2009, 19:33

as Steve says
if you have fitted or the car has had fitted a twin filament stop tail bulb, and it has been fitted the wrong way round, it shotrs across both terminals, and gives this exact fault when pressing the brake pedel or the other way when you turn your side lights on

regards malcolm

tim leech · Post by **tim leech** » 08 Sep 2009, 20:05

My bad, I had indeed fitted a twin fillament into the side lights in the tailgate, now sorted thanks!