Cayman Brake Light Problems

[Actus Reus]

Bit of an obscure one this - the brake light on my Cayman S (08, Gen.1) seems to have developed an intermittent fault. Got in yesterday, and the warning showed on the dash that the brake light wasn't working - which it wasn't. Drove to supermarket, warning stayed constant. Had a quick look behind the panel in the rear boot, and all seemed dry and plugged in...

Get back into car - still reporting a problem, so I assume bulb has gone, stop for petrol - brake light warning gone, and light now functioning properly. It very very briefly said there was a problem a month or so ago - but the fault cleared itself in seconds.

Anybody else come across this - is there a weak spot/typical loose connection? I washed the car on Sunday, so was wondering if water might be the culprit, though no signs of any excess moisture anywhere - car is garaged.

[Bennachie]

Think you might find it is the high level one in the tailgate that has a loose connection. Supermarket suggests shopping and rear hatch opening................. and closing...............
Cable run from body to tailgate? broken/breaking cable.......... rather apt for a brake light issue........

[Bennachie]

Washed the car, what a good idea, mine is filthy.

[Actus Reus]

It's the nearside light that's not working (according to dash and my own visual inspection) - high level light's OK. Problem started before hatch was opened, and then went away some time after the last open/close sequence, so doesn't seem to be related to the hatch being lifted and slammed...

No point washing cars in this weather though I reckon - mine's white and already developing a nice film, and I'll need to use it on Saturday, when there's rain forecast.

[Henry-F]

I suspect it is simply a poor connection between the bulb and the fitting. Remove bulb, replace for the sake of a couple of quid and check to see if fitting needs a bit of a clean with fine wet and dry paper.

Henry

[uknick]

I had this on both the brake lights on my Cayman. Message came up, then went away over a few weeks each time. Eventually both failed.

I think the system is very sensitive to a change in resistance of the bulb. As it starts to fail it gives an intermittent warning.

[Actus Reus]

Thanks chaps - sounds like it is just a new bulb then. Shame, I wanted to put it in for warranty work so I could borrow a 991 for a bit.

[Bennachie]

You would only regret it...........