Brake Lights

[SeanC]

Both my left and brake lights are not working but the high level one is. Bulbs are fine. Looking at the wiring diagrams it looks like all share the same fuses. I might be wrong and probably am. 2008 D3. Any ideas?

Thanks
Sean

[NavyDiver]

Brake switch? On the pedal I mean.

[DiscoJeffster]

Brake switch? On the pedal I mean.

Then the middle one wouldn’t activate.

There are two large fuses for them worth checking. Seems weird though that they’d both blow at the same time??

[SeanC]

I wouldn't think it was the brake switch as I would expect all three brake lights to not work.

I have a new switch so will give it a go.

It's been discussed on both the US and UK forums without resolution. So was hoping someone here might have a solution.

I did replace the alternator on Sunday???

Sean

[DiscoJeffster]

I wouldn't think it was the brake switch as I would expect all three brake lights to not work.

I have a new switch so will give it a go.

It's been discussed on both the US and UK forums without resolution. So was hoping someone here might have a solution.

I did replace the alternator on Sunday???

Sean

Do any of the other lights work in the rear light clusters?

[loanrangie]

I have this same problem, only found out when a kind motorist pulled up beside me at the lights this morning and told me. Surprised there is no notification on the dash to warn me ?

[SeanC]

All other lights in the cluster work.


I have this same problem, only found out when a kind motorist pulled up beside me at the lights this morning and told me. Surprised there is no notification on the dash to warn me ?

Funny. I found out yesterday when someone followed me into the service station to tell me the lights were out.
No warning on the dash either.

[SeanC]

Forgot to mention that the bulb has 2 elements and the non brake light element is working fine.

[loanrangie]

Forgot to mention that the bulb has 2 elements and the non brake light element is working fine.

So was it just a blown filament on the brake circuit ? I will check mine when i get home and replace the globes and will order some
LED's.

[SeanC]

The brake light filaments in both bulbs look fine.

Will replace the bulbs just in case and see how it goes

[IndusD4]

Just read something similar on disco3.co.uk - there was a suggestion if the bulbs were turned the right way?

Ron

[loanrangie]

Just read something similar on disco3.co.uk - there was a suggestion if the bulbs were turned the right way?

RonThat would make sense if new bulbs weren't working but mine were for last 9 months at least.

[loanrangie]

Could they put the fuse box in a worse position, fuse was good and without pulling the lights the filaments look ok.
Will pull them out to be sure, it looks like all the globes are dual filament so should be able to just swap them around.

[SeanC]

Problem solved for me anyway. Swapped the top bulb (brake / tail light) with the same dual element bulb third from the top. Everything works again. Looking at the good and bad bulbs side by side I can’t see any difference. The bad bulbs were both Narva the others Genuine. For two to go at the same time and only the brake light element seems a bit of a coincidence.

[loanrangie]

Problem solved for me anyway. Swapped the top bulb (brake / tail light) with the same dual element bulb third from the top. Everything works again. Looking at the good and bad bulbs side by side I can’t see any difference. The bad bulbs were both Narva the others Genuine. For two to go at the same time and only the brake light element seems a bit of a coincidence.

I just did exactly the same, i noticed that all 4 globes in each light are dual filaments so you can do a swap 3 more times [wink11]. I think its the canbus that causes 2 to go at once.

[hello_disco3]

I had issues with my driver side brake light working on and off. Tail light was fine, just when you brake it would not get brighter. Would change the globe a few times and would work when tested then I'd be following my wife somewhere and it would be stuffed again.

Got service place to have a look and they replaced glove and said it worked. Tried when I picked it up and it was out again. The guy banged on the light housing and it came on momentarily.

Ended up replacing the wiring loom for that side and it's been fine ever since.

[AK83]

Problem solved for me anyway. Swapped the top bulb (brake / tail light) with the same dual element bulb third from the top. Everything works again. Looking at the good and bad bulbs side by side I can’t see any difference. The bad bulbs were both Narva the others Genuine. For two to go at the same time and only the brake light element seems a bit of a coincidence.

LOL! no!! .. Seems to be more common that I originally thought.

A little while back, I was doing work on brothers D2, and noticed no brake lights. both pillar lights and the central mount too.

The obvious checks were fuses, and switch .. never once did I think to check the bulbs.
Switch was fine, fuses all good, swapped with known good working switch, continuity tested the switch which came out good.
Then I started to track all the earth points I could locate(thanks RAVE), started pulling trim, and light units out .. and then thought to 'check the bulbs'
2-3hrs work pulling bits with no luck, and then I think of checking the bulbs!

So what's the chances of all the brake light bulbs blowing at once? .. pretty much 100%! [biggrin]

ps. don't just rely on any old canbus dual filament LEDs either .. learned that the hard way on my D1 over the past few months.
There's a high chance that just any old supposed canbus compatible LED globe may not work.