Brakes lights.. then everything!!
Discussion
I was out in the car when somebody kindly alerted me to the fact I had no brake lights. I knew I had a fast ticking right indicator but I was obviously alarmed to hear this as I am using the car at the moment as a daily drive when needed. On arriving home I changed the bulb on the rear right light which didn't work, so then consulted the manual and replaced the related fuses still no lights. I then switched to the forums here and read of the switch issue.
I then unconnected the two switch wires in the foot well and put them together to see if it was the switch, still no lights..Now the car won't start , and there doesn't seem to be any electrical power with both indicator lights now sporadically jumping into life....brilliant
I thought Id try and save a few quid before getting her into the MOT which was booked for tomorrow..
Any help would be appreciated, should I get the battery on charge ???
Many Thanks
I then unconnected the two switch wires in the foot well and put them together to see if it was the switch, still no lights..Now the car won't start , and there doesn't seem to be any electrical power with both indicator lights now sporadically jumping into life....brilliant
I thought Id try and save a few quid before getting her into the MOT which was booked for tomorrow..
Any help would be appreciated, should I get the battery on charge ???
Many Thanks
Goodness only knows what's wrong, but I suspect you have got several separate problems.
The original problem may have been an earth fault rather than a blown bulb. These rear light clusters are prone to corrosion and can develop intermittent contacts on various connections. I good clean up with contact cleaner often makes the world of difference.
It seems unlikely that the current problem with the engine is caused by the same fault, but you may have disturbed the ECU wiring in the footwell while you were in there.
The original problem may have been an earth fault rather than a blown bulb. These rear light clusters are prone to corrosion and can develop intermittent contacts on various connections. I good clean up with contact cleaner often makes the world of difference.
It seems unlikely that the current problem with the engine is caused by the same fault, but you may have disturbed the ECU wiring in the footwell while you were in there.
I lost my brake lights just before my MOT. Checked the bulbs - no problem. Checked the pedal switch - connecting the two wires did not help-even though 12v was reaching the switch. Fuses were ok - its the same one as the wiper self park on mine so I checked the wiper park switch too as this is needing replaced. Finally searched the forum and found the connections for the brake lights are behind the flap with the door latches behind the door on the passenger side. Cleaning them up worked a treat! Cant explain why you have lost all power.
Edited by IainG on Sunday 20th May 12:22
Now replaced nearly all fuses to no avail! Where is this 100 amp fuse people are referring to underneath at the back of the engine bay ?? and this seperate one in the footwell ? I havent got a bible and to be honest I'm no electrical engineer.
Your right I may have upset something when in the footwell, but you cant helkp it when your down there!! . I'm considering calling the AA ! to see if they can get to the bottom of it!
Your right I may have upset something when in the footwell, but you cant helkp it when your down there!! . I'm considering calling the AA ! to see if they can get to the bottom of it!
The brake light switch is Vauxhall, a common part at dealers as they fail on Vauxhalls quite often.
Is the battery now charged up?
You say that the car won't start, can you hear the fuel pump priming, does the starter turn the engine or is it just clicking?
You need to be a bit more specific as to what's happening and we will be able to point you in the right direction.
The 100 amp fuse is located alongside the off side of the engine on the underneath of the chassis rail. You need to get the car securely up on stands to access this.
Its a black plastic box with a wire going into each end. Take the fuse out and clean it and the terminals. I like to smear some Vaseline on things like this to prevent further corrosion. Even if this doesn't fix your problem its worth doing as if its not perfect it's bound to cause a problem at some point.
If you need a replacement fuse forget your local accessory shop, you can get one here,
www.clever-trevor.net/
With regard to the rear light it could be a bad earth.
This would also explain your fast ticking R/H indicator, I'd lay money on the table that the O/S/R indicator wasn't working either.
To try this run a cable from the earth of the battery to the body of the rear light, if you have an assistant just hold it on to try it.
If this cures the light problem you need to clean the earth point at the rear of the car which I think is in the boot, someone will be along soon who can tell you. If your fuel pump is not working I wonder if the earth for the pump (which is above the rear axle) is also earthed at this point. If it is, this may be your answer.
And do get hold of a Bible, its not perfect but still worth its weight in gold.
Is the battery now charged up?
You say that the car won't start, can you hear the fuel pump priming, does the starter turn the engine or is it just clicking?
You need to be a bit more specific as to what's happening and we will be able to point you in the right direction.
The 100 amp fuse is located alongside the off side of the engine on the underneath of the chassis rail. You need to get the car securely up on stands to access this.
Its a black plastic box with a wire going into each end. Take the fuse out and clean it and the terminals. I like to smear some Vaseline on things like this to prevent further corrosion. Even if this doesn't fix your problem its worth doing as if its not perfect it's bound to cause a problem at some point.
If you need a replacement fuse forget your local accessory shop, you can get one here,
www.clever-trevor.net/
With regard to the rear light it could be a bad earth.
This would also explain your fast ticking R/H indicator, I'd lay money on the table that the O/S/R indicator wasn't working either.
To try this run a cable from the earth of the battery to the body of the rear light, if you have an assistant just hold it on to try it.
If this cures the light problem you need to clean the earth point at the rear of the car which I think is in the boot, someone will be along soon who can tell you. If your fuel pump is not working I wonder if the earth for the pump (which is above the rear axle) is also earthed at this point. If it is, this may be your answer.
And do get hold of a Bible, its not perfect but still worth its weight in gold.
Edited by tvr keith on Sunday 20th May 15:59
thanks guys yes the battery is now charged , the car primes, starts no problem all electrics working apart from the brake lights, which when the two brake pedal wires go together seem to do work on one side which I assume means its the switch, I'll order one from the web. Thanks again for your input.
Gassing Station | Chimaera | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff