No brake lights! Any ideas?

[chieflief]

Hey all.

I have a 1996 Elise that suddenly lost its brake lights. Thankfully someone followed me to my destination to let me know!

No, it's not the fuse. I already checked it. Any other ideas about where to start checking where the fault is?

Cheers

[Thorburn]

Probably the brake light switch needs adjusting - http://forums.seloc.org/viewthread.php?tid=309989&...

[madmover]

may sound stupid and obvious but checked the bulbs? bought a car once and within a week both blew and i spent a hour checking things before checking the bulbs to find they had gone. unsual for them to both go in quick succession but never impossible..

[Tin Hat]

Most likely that crappy switch, I am on my third one in 10 years!

[400SE Dave]

Thorburn said:

Probably the brake light switch needs adjusting - http://forums.seloc.org/viewthread.php?tid=309989&...

+ 1

[Ganglandboss]

400SE Dave said:

Thorburn said:

Probably the brake light switch needs adjusting - http://forums.seloc.org/viewthread.php?tid=309989&...

+ 1

+2!

If you are not registered on SELOC and cannot view the link, this is the part that is most likely causing the problem: http://www.eliseparts.com/products/show/23/10/brak...



To adjust it, you turn it a quarter of a turn and you can slide it back and forward. To reach it you put your hand around the back of the brake fluid reservoir and you should feel the cable. The switch is normally open so the lights come on when the white button is released. If you twist it anti-clockwise and slide it back, the lights should come on. If you push it back to the point where the brake light goes out, turn it clockwise to lock and it should be okay. It can be a bit fiddly due to the thread pushing it further forward as you lock it, meaning the brake light has to be pushed quite hard to bring the lights on. I found I had to set it to the point where the lights go out, pull it back a gnat's cock-hair so the lights come back on and turn it to lock - as I turned it the lights went out.

This was using a new switch - I had to replace it as the plunger on the original switch had worn down and the lights were staying on permanently. The new part (Ford part IIRC) caused me hassle for a bit as the lights were constantly failing. I was trying for ages as described above and never got it right. Within a couple of days of having it working they were failing. In the end I gave it a good soaking in contact cleaner and they now work perfectly.

[chieflief]

Wow, thanks guys. That was it. The part works as is should very intermittently; only sometimes do the brake lights come on when I fiddle with the button (as it were). Off to get some electrical cleaner this afternoon (unless I can use some DIY concoction?).

[Thorburn]

Just get a new one from the Eliseparts link above, it's only £8.34 + pnp.

[chieflief]

Heh. Am in Canada and it's going to be sunny the next 5 days. I'd rather not depend on Canada Post to deliver...

[chieflief]

What an incredibly easy fix. I took the (very simple) piece apart, cleaned the contact points with electrical cleanser and a soft cloth, put it back together and reinstalled it. Rob's your mum's brother. No one should ever have to buy this part new as a replacement (unless it is damaged, of course). I did have to go searching for the bottom piece which flew off under the spring load. Fortunately I saw where it landed.
If any of you have the same problem in the future and don't want to fix it yourself, I'll do it for a pint. And a quick blast in whatever it is I helped you on. And of course my transportation to yours...
Thanks again for all your help.

[chieflief]

Apologies for resurrecting this thread, but have no brake lights. Again. Suddenly. I have checked the fuse (again, no problems there), and have checked and cleaned the brake light switch, but all to no avail. Any helpful advice would be greatly appreciated.

[Thorburn]

Thorburn said:

Just get a new one from the Eliseparts link above, it's only £8.34 + pnp.

If its any help then I think its from a Ford, so you might be able to find a local supplier.

[saaby93]

Is this it
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/FORD-KA-BRAKE-LIGHT-SWIT...

[Tanuki]

It's certainly looks very much like one, yes.