Warning!! Newbie alert!!


Hi one and all... I hope you can help with an issue or two that I have with my 2001 Bravo 100 SX.


Firstly my brake lights don't seem to be working at all. I have checked the bulbs on either side of the car and both are fine and the filaments haven't blown. I even looked at the fuse panel and cannot see a blown fuse although I'm not 100% which one is for the brake lights. No.12 or 13? I fear it's the brake switch at fault and wonder if it's easy to replace or at least check. Could there be another issue here at all?


Secondly... when I attempted to change the bulbs I then tried to start the car and it would not fire up anymore. The starter kicks in and turns the engine but it will not fire up. I fear it maybe a Key/Immobiliser related issue as the key dashboard light no longer lights when I turn the ignition on. I have also had problems trying to start the car before. I sometimes have to try numerous times before it starts and sometimes the key light stays on whilst driving. I also fear that because I only have the red key I may be somewhat screwed.


I hope you can help and advise me.


Many thanks in advance.

My manual says brake lights are fuse A13 (bottom middle of the main rectangular set of fuses), and it is 10A and shared with the direction indicators and rear fog light. You should probably check the switch.

As regards the key and immobaliser, you should be OK with a red key but it is not recommended to use it for driving. You can get a blue one cut from it, you should use the red key to program the ECU to recognise the new blue one, from then on just use the blue key.

Hope this helps.

Cheers bluejohn125.


I have checked that fuse and it hasn't blown. The indicators and fog light still work so I suspect it's the switch too. Do you know where it is and is it easy to replace??


I'm now worried the red key may have lost the code, if that's possible, as the key indicating light doesn't illuminate on the dash at all when I turn on the ignition now. Or could this be an immobiliser issue??

Try disconnecting the battery for 1/2 an hour,that may refresh the ecu / immobaliser.

I don't know what effect overusing the red key may have, worst case you will probably need to check with an autoelectrician, they should be able to sort the brakelight issue.

The switch will probably be at the top of the pedal assembly, under the dash.

Apologies Bluejohn125 ... I never posted an update on what the issues were with my Bravo.


As we both suspected the brake switch was at fault and this was easily replaced with a new unit.


The issue with the car not starting turned out to be a rusty connector at the back of the fuse box. It must have been on the verge of failing that day and finally broke when I checked the fuses.


Many thanks.