Break lights!

[jonmartin]

My break lights are not working. Both of them, I suspect a fuse. The heating fan seems to come on some times but not others, not sure if its related, but the break lights were not working when I got the fan on at one point. Amazon still havnt dispatched my bible, can anyone help with which fuse I should check, and any other suggestions of a cause? Shes a 2001 (facelift) 4.5.
Cheers!

[penno]

Have you tried the switch on the brake pedal white switch. To test the circuit connect the wires together from the switch this should put the brake lights on.

Penno

[jonmartin]

Well I shorted out the switch and no break lighs still. Im hoping its the fuse, but I don't know which fues it is.
Unfortunately when checking the switch I discovered my drivers footwell is wet (passenger side also a bit damp). Cant find any wet carpet leading down so no clue where its getting in! I have been parking on the drive since my father in law nailed my garage shut (long story) so will be taking a saw to his handy work this weekend.

So now I have two problems; the break lights, switch ruled out as a cause, and tracing where the water is getting in.
I had forgotten the joys of TVR ownership! Any suggestions greatly appreciated. Would I be better taking to a garage and getting them to look at these issues or is it something I can get to the bottom of myself with a little help from you guys?

[richy759]

Not exactly sure on this one, but I thought on my Chim there is one fuse for all the lights, but that it a lot of current so I'm having doubts. Do your others lights work?

Do you have a copy of the bible handy, fuse box layouts are in there (also in your manual).

Rich

[jonmartin]

Yeh all the other lights work (not sure about reverse light). My bible has been on order from Amazon for ages but not arrived yet. Cant find manual. =(
Im thinking of just pulling abd checking each fuse.

[richy759]

The fuse boxes do vary slightly but I'll have a look when I get home and post any useful info.
Rich

[jonmartin]

Thanks Rich!

[richy759]

This is the fuse page from my manual (which doesn't actually mirror the fuse box in the car), the 20A wiper park, break light fuse might be of interest to you.
What age is your car?
do you have this 6+5 fuse arrangement?



Rich

[jonmartin]

Very interesting. My wiper park is also not working. I have got a new park switch because I thoiught this was the problem. Maybe this will save me the bother of taking the Dash out to replace the wiper park switch! I will look at this fuse tomorrow morning.
Its a 2001 4.5. The fues layout looks similar, if its different then I will start a new post on here with a clearer title.

Thanks for all your help with this one, I will let you know how it goes tomorrow!

Cheers
Jon

[CLN1]

Check the multiblock connectors behing the passenger seat behind a flap in the carpet just below the top seatbelt mount (assume the Chimaera is the same as my Griff.

Colin.

[richy759]

jonmartin said:

Very interesting. My wiper park is also not working. I have got a new park switch because I thoiught this was the problem. Maybe this will save me the bother of taking the Dash out to replace the wiper park switch! I will look at this fuse tomorrow morning.
Its a 2001 4.5. The fues layout looks similar, if its different then I will start a new post on here with a clearer title.

Thanks for all your help with this one, I will let you know how it goes tomorrow!

Cheers
Jon

Sounds promising.
Rich

[jonmartin]

Well I swapped out the fuse for a slightly higher rated one. The old fuse had blown, however with the new fuse in place (and not blown) the break lights are still not working and the wipers are still not parking =(
Any other ideas? Or is it time to take her into a TVR specialist?

[V8 Devil]

CLN1 said:

Check the multiblock connectors behing the passenger seat behind a flap in the carpet just below the top seatbelt mount (assume the Chimaera is the same as my Griff.

Colin.

This is well worth checking and cleaning the connectors with an electrical contact cleaner spray. I had intermittent brake lights and this sorted the problem.
You could also disconnect the wiper park switch and spray the connector and check all the contacts. WPS's seem not to last long, I have had three in the past 3 years, not expensive or difficult to change.
Regarding the wet carpets, try sealing around all the rivets of the VIN and lubrication plates as well as anything that goes into the bulkheads e.g brake fluid reservoir, any cables and bolts etc. Any silicone sealant will do the trick.
Good luck

Edited by V8 Devil on Saturday 25th August 18:58

[jonmartin]

I had a look and every thing looked connected, I will try cleaning later. Could it be that the contacts have come loose from the back of the fuse board? Maybe this would explain the blown fuse if its a looses connection? Otherwise I think I will take it to an expert £££
Thanks for the help all, any more suggestions I will still try. Would be a lot happier if my bible would just turn up!
Also need to learn to spell brake!

[V8 Devil]

Even if they look connected, it's worth disconnecting the one behind the passenger seat behind the flap, mine was connected but no lights. I seem to remember it was the biggest one in the bunch after a bit of trial and error.
Hope you get it sorted!
With your spelling you could always plead that you meant broken lights!!

Edited by V8 Devil on Saturday 25th August 23:08

[slideways]

I had this happen to me a couple of years ago, it was the white switch on the break pedal i took it off opened it up. The connections inside had welded themselves together through arcing i suppose,i separated them and cleaned the contacts not had the problem since,
i hope this helps