Brake light problem, with a differance....
Discussion
My Near side brake light isn't working. 
Off side one still works, all other lights work as they should.
It's not the bulb (tried two new ones).
Its not the switch at the pedal as the other brake light works.
It doesn't appear to be a loose connection to the light cluster.
Am I missing any obvious points that I should check?
If there’s nothing I’ve forgotten to check, it looks like I’ll be spending tomorrow probing the Tiv with a multi-meter. Great
!
Off side one still works, all other lights work as they should.
It's not the bulb (tried two new ones).
Its not the switch at the pedal as the other brake light works.
It doesn't appear to be a loose connection to the light cluster.
Am I missing any obvious points that I should check
? If there’s nothing I’ve forgotten to check, it looks like I’ll be spending tomorrow probing the Tiv with a multi-meter. Great
! Off to Maplins and get yourself a £4.99 multimeter.
The fault you descibe WILL be mechanical in that it is almost certainly associated with a poor connection to the rear light cluster (most likely), a poor connection in the midway connector block as described by Targarama (possible) or a busted cable (least likely).
From the rear light cluster which isn't functioning, work your way back through connector blocks and cable joins until you measure 12v on the brake light circuit - note that you will have to connect the black probe to a known good earth point (and set the meter to DC volts, 20 / 200v range). That way you at least know where abouts in the circuit the fault lies.
Happy hunting
edit to add - sorry, just re-read your original post and realised you already have (so know how to use) a multi-meter. Apologies for grannies and sucking eggs and all that !
>> Edited by sotonS2 on Saturday 22 January 08:33
The fault you descibe WILL be mechanical in that it is almost certainly associated with a poor connection to the rear light cluster (most likely), a poor connection in the midway connector block as described by Targarama (possible) or a busted cable (least likely).
From the rear light cluster which isn't functioning, work your way back through connector blocks and cable joins until you measure 12v on the brake light circuit - note that you will have to connect the black probe to a known good earth point (and set the meter to DC volts, 20 / 200v range). That way you at least know where abouts in the circuit the fault lies.
Happy hunting
edit to add - sorry, just re-read your original post and realised you already have (so know how to use) a multi-meter. Apologies for grannies and sucking eggs and all that !
>> Edited by sotonS2 on Saturday 22 January 08:33
All fixed now . Yay
It turned out to be a bad conection between the bulb and bulb holder.
When the bulb is in place properly it doesn't make a conection with the live for the brake at the botom of the bulb.
The solution was to push the bulb in but not turn it all the way in the holder. when this was done the conection was made, and the bulb was secure enough to stay there.
So it looks like the perminant solution is to bend the conection at the bottom slightly to make a good contact when the bulb is turned as far as posible in the holder. Either that of if feeling flush then buy a new bulb holder or entire light cluser.
hope this helps with any problems anyone has in the future.
>> Edited by ajb on Saturday 22 January 12:54
It turned out to be a bad conection between the bulb and bulb holder.
When the bulb is in place properly it doesn't make a conection with the live for the brake at the botom of the bulb.
The solution was to push the bulb in but not turn it all the way in the holder. when this was done the conection was made, and the bulb was secure enough to stay there.
So it looks like the perminant solution is to bend the conection at the bottom slightly to make a good contact when the bulb is turned as far as posible in the holder. Either that of if feeling flush then buy a new bulb holder or entire light cluser.
hope this helps with any problems anyone has in the future.
>> Edited by ajb on Saturday 22 January 12:54
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