Rear lights. Brake light not working. DB9

[jagaston]

Hi all. Ive just had to purchase a new very expensive /rip off) tail light. My old units brake light strip only flicks on very slightly, No warning on the dashboard, had to be told by the guy behind me.
It seems such a shame that this writes of the unit. I didn't have any water ingress and is as dry as a bone. Even covered in road dust when I removed it.
Does anybody know if this issue can be repaired by an electronics expert. I have seen the company that replace the internals with the all singing and dancing Audiesk type for around £1300.00 but all I want is the brake light repaired and use this one as a spare.
Any ideas would be welcome.

[Manners79]

The hardest bit is opening / re-sealing the units but it can be done...a quick search on here should throw up a few 'how to' posts (it is scary - involves putting your light in the oven...but you've sort of got nothing to lose). Then it is just a question of changing either the LED driver board or the 'blade' they are monuted on (or both!) depending on what part is at fault. It is easy to diagnose as you can see on the ribbon connector where to apply 12v to light up each LED array. If the brake light flickers when 12v is applied you need a new blade, if it lights ok you need a new control board (the blade is the more likely fault). The driver board is easily removed, the blade is not difficult but does involve careful drilling out of a few rivets if my memory serves. The company you refer to that do the Audi sweep upgrade sometimes have the parts spare from upgrades they've done that they will sell you for a reasonbale fee. Good luck!

[Riddochg]

These guys have been used by a number of Pistonheaders. IER in Letchworth for Headlamp LED repairs Speak to Matt in the office 01462 671001
http://www.ieruk.com/

Also worth checking with Aston Installations. https://astoninstallations.com. When I was there a year ago James had just bought an oven to open up the tail lights. His plan was to offer a service just to rebuild the lights at a lower cost than the Divina Tech rebuild.

[Chopdogs]

This post explains how to open up a rear light. For a Vantage but the concepts are the same. It’s actually pretty easy.

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

I then sent mine to Greasley Electronics (www.greasely.co.uk) who fixed the shot LEDs for around £120 (if memory serves - which it often doesn’t).