Discussion
Would appreciate some help please.
My brake lights aren't working, I have changed the fuse and checked the switch on the pedal - unplugged it, cleaned it etc.
Still not working. Everything else works. I am also slightly baffled by the three bulbs for four lights arrangement. Do the rear lights and brake lights share a bulb or something? Maybe the brake light is in a different cluster, but I can't see it if it is. Steve Heath book not great with this issue.
Thanks in advance.
My brake lights aren't working, I have changed the fuse and checked the switch on the pedal - unplugged it, cleaned it etc.
Still not working. Everything else works. I am also slightly baffled by the three bulbs for four lights arrangement. Do the rear lights and brake lights share a bulb or something? Maybe the brake light is in a different cluster, but I can't see it if it is. Steve Heath book not great with this issue.
Thanks in advance.
Now cleaned the switch above the pedal again, removed then carpet from inside the b pillar (n/s) and cleaned all the connections on the wiring in that void. I was working by torchlight so will probably repeat the process on Sunday.
The carpet covering the void on the right hand side is perfect - is any wiring in the void on that side? Don't want to cut into it if there's no point.
Looks like the carpet in the drivers side footwell has been lifted at some point. Maybe the wire leading from the switch is the culprit.
Suggestions on what else to look at would be greatly appreciated.
Also - please can somebody check the connections on the switch and tell me whether the yellow or blue side is at the back... Like I said. Torchlight.
The carpet covering the void on the right hand side is perfect - is any wiring in the void on that side? Don't want to cut into it if there's no point.
Looks like the carpet in the drivers side footwell has been lifted at some point. Maybe the wire leading from the switch is the culprit.
Suggestions on what else to look at would be greatly appreciated.
Also - please can somebody check the connections on the switch and tell me whether the yellow or blue side is at the back... Like I said. Torchlight.
Check your fuses
The brake light sw is only 2 connections, closing the sw when the pedal is pressed, so shouldn't really matter which way round the 2 connections are. http://www.clever-trevor.net/TVR/Parts/Chimaera/g|...
The lamps are stop/tail, check you have the right lamps (2 elements, 2 dimples on the connections), make sure they are in correctly, make sure the earth ( through lamp body ) correct.
Have you checked where the voltage is? Your biggest clue will be how far the 12v gets to the lamps.
The brake light sw is only 2 connections, closing the sw when the pedal is pressed, so shouldn't really matter which way round the 2 connections are. http://www.clever-trevor.net/TVR/Parts/Chimaera/g|...
The lamps are stop/tail, check you have the right lamps (2 elements, 2 dimples on the connections), make sure they are in correctly, make sure the earth ( through lamp body ) correct.
Have you checked where the voltage is? Your biggest clue will be how far the 12v gets to the lamps.
Northernchimp said:
, I have changed the fuse
Had it blown?If it had check the replacement, is that still ok?
Do the wipers "self Park", they are on the same fuse and it's not unknown for the park switch (which sits in a puddle of water under the wiper motor) to short circuit?
How are you "checking and testing" things? A cheap meter from somewhere like Maplins is invaluable.
Northernchimp said:
Not done much today as been driving up and down. Fuses have all be changed twice for good measure covering every possible fuse box specified in the bible. Will do the volt meter tomorrow. My wipers do sit a bit high now that you mention it.
When my wiper park fuse failed, the wipers would park at random in one of a selection of places - most of which were somewhere in the middle of the screen. I had to keep switching them on and off until I found the right spot. I lived with it like this for at least 4 or 5 months, not realising what the cause was, until it failed the MOT with u/s brake lights - then I realised I'd been driving around without brake lights for months! 
If yours are merely parking "a bit high", that doesn't sound like classic symptoms of the wiper park fuse having failed - but note that there are two completely different wiper designs depending roughly on model year, so the symptoms might be different for your car. I'd still check that fuse again.
Just changing the fuse doesn't prove anything, because the new fuse might be blowing straight away if there's a fault on the circuit. When you've got a meter, use it to check the continuity across the fuse, by putting it into "resistance" mode (and often they have a "beep" mode for checking continuity). Also you can often see through the transparent body of the fuse to tell whether the thin wire is still intact.
Sorted. Bypassed the switch, worked fine. Switch taken off, cleaned, attached etc. Worked when the engine was off, turned engine on and blew the fuse.
Fuse changed.
Drove it around for a bit, when I got back they were on constantly. Switch taken off, bypassed and appeared normal. Noticed that the switch had siezed up, taken switch apart, has imploded (metal through plastic).
Switch to be ordered and lift to work sorted until the part arrives. Anybody know of a metal alternative to the s
tty plastic one?
Thanks for all your replies. I love the fact that somebody with little mechanical / electrical knowledge or sympathy can fix stuff like this. Sometimes wish I'd bought a Boxster for my commute, it would probably not require as much love but I'd get fked by a dealer every time anything went wrong.
Fuse changed.
Drove it around for a bit, when I got back they were on constantly. Switch taken off, bypassed and appeared normal. Noticed that the switch had siezed up, taken switch apart, has imploded (metal through plastic).
Switch to be ordered and lift to work sorted until the part arrives. Anybody know of a metal alternative to the s
tty plastic one? Thanks for all your replies. I love the fact that somebody with little mechanical / electrical knowledge or sympathy can fix stuff like this. Sometimes wish I'd bought a Boxster for my commute, it would probably not require as much love but I'd get f
ked by a dealer every time anything went wrong.Amazing. Was just about to post exactly the same thread, thinking htere wouldn't be anything like this to search for, and the same problem is described from 2 days earlier...
I do have the wiper park issue, wipers won't stop anywhere predictable, so keep flicking them until they stop somewhere sensible. I'll check the wiper fuse and see if that helps.
I do have the wiper park issue, wipers won't stop anywhere predictable, so keep flicking them until they stop somewhere sensible. I'll check the wiper fuse and see if that helps.
Before you do anything else, disconnect the switch (white box) above the brake pedal at both sides, pulls off easily. Once they're off, complete the circuit (I just removed the plastic casing and stuck them together). If the lights come on, it's probably just the (£3) switch. Taking the actual switch off is a pain, especially if you're broad as you have to get your shoulders between the floor and steering wheel.
Edited by Northernchimp on Sunday 14th April 18:59
There is some wiring in the voids of the B pillars, particularly the nearside. If you're felling brave, lift off the trim / carpet covering the void and you'll find three connectors. Worth disconnecting these and giving them a dose of WD40.
Also, you sure you're looking at the right fuse box? It took me a while to realise I'd checked the wrong fuse as my car was built during a crossover point.
Also, you sure you're looking at the right fuse box? It took me a while to realise I'd checked the wrong fuse as my car was built during a crossover point.
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