6 replies to this topic

[GreenMini17]

I have a strange problem with my rear lights working and not working.

Just went to take the car out this evening and noticed the rear tail lights were on all the time. Even without the lights turned on at the switch. Fronts stay off as they should.

I also noticed that the brake lights didnt work at all. So after an hour or so ive found that if the brake light switch at the pedal is disconnected, the rear tail lights work as they should and go on and off with the switch on the dash. If i then remove the wires from the brake light switch and touch them together, the rear tails come on again without the lights actually being on at the switch.

Problem is, still no brake lights of course!!

Does anyone have any ideas what it could be?! Im lost! Fuses all appear fine and as far as i can see, so do the earths.

Thanks in advance!

[KernowCooper]

Bad earth on the brake light circuit, the earth is going through the side light circuit, and by the sounds of it your brake light switch is stuck in the on position. put a temporary earth wire on the brake light circuit and also look at the bulb holder they sometimes suffer corrosion in the holder

Edited by KernowCooper, 22 April 2015 - 07:46 PM.

[ChopperHarris]

as above

[GreenMini17]

Bad earth on the brake light circuit, the earth is going through the side light circuit, and by the sounds of it your brake light switch is stuck in the on position. put a temporary earth wire on the brake light circuit and also look at the bulb holder they sometimes suffer corrosion in the holder

Thanks for your reply, i appreciate it. This actually makes a lot of logical sense. Where is the earth for the brake lights? In the boot or do they join other earth wires somewhere? How and where would i add an earth wire to the brake light circuit?
The brake light switch seems to release and push in as it should do. I actually checked this as well.
Apologies for the rather novice questions, wiring is not my strong poing!

[KernowCooper]

The earths are all in the Boot and on a earth point on the NS Light unit, get a 3 ft length of wire put a crocodile  clip on it and attach it to the negative terminal battery terminal now you can touch the metal of the light unit for a temporary earth, clean up all the black connection points, just because thy look good they my not be

[GreenMini17]

The earths are all in the Boot and on a earth point on the NS Light unit, get a 3 ft length of wire put a crocodile  clip on it and attach it to the negative terminal battery terminal now you can touch the metal of the light unit for a temporary earth, clean up all the black connection points, just because thy look good they my not be

I shall give this a try and clean up all connections and earths.

When you say - touch the new earth against the light unit, isnt the rear of the light plastic? Or is there are particular place?
Thanks.

[ChopperHarris]

Place it on the bulbholder to be sure