General Brake lights working but no tailights

[tjordan]

Apologies if this is the wrong place to post this question, new to the forum.

The taillights on my 06 Fiat Panda 1.2 aren't working, but the brake lights do. I've taken the casings off and checked the connectors for debris and gave it a gentle clean, but still no luck.

Anyone have any thoughts on why this is happening?

Thanks

 

[simon_16vpunto]

have you checked the bulbs? They are dual filament, so there is a possibility that the taillight filament has blown on both bulbs, but the brake light will still illuminate if that filament is fine.

 

[timmycm850]

Do the number plate lights work. Ie is it a system problem or bulb problem

 

[koalar]

Have you tried new bulbs

Or measure the resitance

Were they bulbs LED or filament?

Are the replacement LED?

It's not unusual for bulbs to go in pairs they are the same age

 

[tjordan]

have you checked the bulbs? They are dual filament, so there is a possibility that the taillight filament has blown on both bulbs, but the brake light will still illuminate if that filament is fine.

Have you tried new bulbs

Or measure the resitance

Were they bulbs LED or filament?

Are the replacement LED?

It's not unusual for bulbs to go in pairs they are the same age

I've replaced both bulbs (filament) and still the same thing happens - brake light works, taillights don't. I've checked both fuse boxes (under the steering wheel & under hood) and every fuse is fine. Bit lost at this point...

 

[koalar]

I've replaced both bulbs (filament) and still the same thing happens - brake light works, taillights don't. I've checked both fuse boxes (under the steering wheel & under hood) and every fuse is fine. Bit lost at this point...

Great

@timmycm850 asked if the number plate lights work

 

[tjordan]

Great

@timmycm850 asked if the number plate lights work

Only the left one is working

 

[timmycm850]

Might be wise to check your alternator output which should give a voltage at the battery when engine is reving of no more that 14.4 volts

 

[koalar]

Great that eliminates quite a bit

All the inputs are working

We need to focus on the outputs

The body computer (BSI) will shut off the power if it detects the wrong current, Are you 100% sure the bulbs are the correct type and wattage

Do you have a multi meter or test light

If you but the hazard on, do the brake lights dim in time with the flashing?

 

[tjordan]

Great that eliminates quite a bit

All the inputs are working

We need to focus on the outputs

The body computer (BSI) will shut off the power if it detects the wrong current, Are you 100% sure the bulbs are the correct type and wattage

Do you have a multi meter or test light

If you but the hazard on, do the brake lights dim in time with the flashing?

I put these bulbs in from Halfords.

Got a slight other problem now - when I indicate right, the right brake light flashes. I had this problem recently where when I indicated all the lights started flashing, and I fixed it by cleaning out the tailight connectors as there was some sort of debris that was causing a problem with the connection.

Just checked the hazards - only the right brake light dims in time with the hazards.

I haven't got a multi meter but feel like this is a sign to get one.

 

[koalar]

Cool

We know you have a ground problem at the very least

Let's see if I can pull my old post up

 

[koalar]

Here

The problem with the dimming is a poor, high resitance on the centre ground pin

It needs sorting first as it can lead to other unexpected results

https://www.fiatforum.com/threads/rear-light-cluster-repair.492376/

I have had to repair every panda I have owned both sides. 6 so far

 

[tjordan]

Here

The problem with the dimming is a poor, high resitance on the centre ground pin

It needs sorting first as it can lead to other unexpected results

https://www.fiatforum.com/threads/rear-light-cluster-repair.492376/

I have had to repair every panda I have owned both sides. 6 so far

Godsend. Thank you

 

[koalar]

Are the bulbs you linked the ones you got

They should be 21W/5W bulbs

 

[tjordan]

Are the bulbs you linked the ones you got

They should be 21W/5W bulbs

Ah. Yeah the ones I linked are the ones I got. I'll swap them out after cleaning out the connectors again.

 

[irc]

Are the bulbs you linked the ones you got

They should be 21W/5W bulbs

You beat me to it - those are indicator bulbs.

 

[tjordan]

So these would be the right ones?

 

[timmycm850]

Yes I would also check the earth now we know the info about recent past.

 

[koalar]

I haven't got a multi meter but feel like this is a sign to get one.

I find one very useful not just for the car. Checking fuses, cables, sockets and bulbs and so on

This is about as cheap as you can go, when I last looked and still have the ability to measure amps

Cheap Scanners Known to Work | FIAT Panda (Mk3)

I see a few people asking about engine check light I thread with readers known to work might help others I see someone has had success with a C reader 30001 Which also does live data 👍 https://www.fiatforum.com/threads/fiat-diesel-garage-in-the-midlands.496210/ and in 2022 can be had for...

www.fiatforum.com

It's no really rated 1000V though, 240V and under is fine

Ordering from China and waiting 6 weeks is no problem now we know what the two problems are

 

[tjordan]

Great. Sorted the flashing brake light after scraping the rear light connector. So next step to sort out the rear lights is to get a multi meter and check the earth, is that right?