Dady Posted May 8 Report Share Posted May 8 Can anyone help with this one, as I’m no auto electrician. My brake lights are not working, only discovered on a run out on Sunday with my local group (North Wales). A group member has spent some time today trying to narrow down the problem. Firstly, all other lights work ok, including side lights. Bulbs checked, all ok. Fuses all ok too. There is power to the brake light switch, but nothing at the brake light connectors. Poor earth? Or could it be a faulty/failed switch? as ever, any help will be much appreciated. David Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RobH Posted May 8 Report Share Posted May 8 (edited) Most likely a failed switch David, it's a known weak point . Pull the wires off the switch and short them together. Turn on the ignition. If the lamps light it's a duff switch Many of us have replaced the hydraulic switch with a modern one operated at the pedal box. There have been a number of threads about that. e.g. Edited May 8 by RobH Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Conradski Posted May 8 Report Share Posted May 8 Hi RobH, David and I were checking the lights and electrics today. We took the wires off the brake light switch and connected the wires using a test lamp wire. The test lamp lit up suggesting live feed at the switch; however, the stop lights still did not come on. Wires on the switch were green and green/black (to my eyesight, may have been green/purple). Are there any connectors or bullets or indeed earths that run in that loom to the rear lights that could be suspect? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Rob Salisbury Posted May 8 Report Share Posted May 8 There's a whole bunch of Lucar connecters and bullets behind the petrol tank cover board high up just above each inner wheel arch, a few screws and the cover comes off. Cheers Rob Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Lebro Posted May 8 Report Share Posted May 8 Instead of using a test lamp across the switch wires, just short the wires together as Rob suggested. Then see if the lamps work Bob Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RobH Posted May 8 Report Share Posted May 8 (edited) 51 minutes ago, Conradski said: We took the wires off the brake light switch and connected the wires using a test lamp wire. The test lamp lit up suggesting live feed at the switch; however, the stop lights still did not come on. The test lamp draws much less current than the stop-lamps so they act as an earth connection for it without visibly lighting up themselves. I think your test proves it is the switch at fault as there was power on one side and a low resistance load to earth (through the brake lamps) on the other, so the test lamp lit. Edited May 8 by RobH Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Dady Posted May 9 Author Report Share Posted May 9 I have brake lights! As suggested by RobH it was indeed the switch that had failed. Thanks to all for your invaluable input as usual. Also thanks to my local independent Landrover specialist who provided the new switch! David Quote Link to post Share on other sites
monty Posted May 9 Report Share Posted May 9 Yes those switches can be cheap & nasty! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Nick Seber Posted May 9 Report Share Posted May 9 I had a reoccurring brake light fault which also knocked out fuel gauge and indicators. Tracked to a dirty spade connector on the green wire circuit. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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