Technical Chaotic electrials

[jonti]

Driving home last night, lost all electrical power. In particular the brakelights stopped working with the check panel becoming illuminated. Now power has returned but brakelights don't work, stop lights on check panel are still illuminated.

What's going on? Out of interest the bonnet catch pinged off yesterday dislodging some wires, which I replaced. Or did I???

Also, there is no fuse shown for the stoplights

:tempt:

Cheers

 

[sumplug]

Driving home last night, lost all electrical power. In particular the brakelights stopped working with the check panel becoming illuminated. Now power has returned but brakelights don't work, stop lights on check panel are still illuminated.

What's going on? Out of interest the bonnet catch pinged off yesterday dislodging some wires, which I replaced. Or did I???

Also, there is no fuse shown for the stoplights

:tempt:

Cheers

Fuses no.5 and 6 control rear lights. Check for power at the lights. they run a main earth point, so check this too. That check panel is very sensitive and gives false readings all the time!!

Andy.

 

[jonti]

Andy cheers

The fuses are ok. All lights work apart from both brakelights, which the check panel is correctly reporting.

So I have a total power loss that has then remedied itself (for now) but resulting from which the brakelights don't work !

 

[sumplug]

Andy cheers

The fuses are ok. All lights work apart from both brakelights, which the check panel is correctly reporting.

So I have a total power loss that has then remedied itself (for now) but resulting from which the brakelights don't work !

Right, its either the brake switch on the pedal or the bulbs themselves or the light unit. Try swapping bulbs, and then suspect the switch if you bridge the wires at the switch, stop lights will or should illuminate. Might be a bad connection at the bulb holder. Check the contacts for breakage. Take the whole unit out and check all the metal contacts. Tipo rear units have been known to fill with water and cause these symptons.

Andy.

 

[tipoboy]

i had a similar problem with a sedi a few years back the stop lights were always illuminated but my brake lights actually worked properly it was the check panel at fault.

 

[jonti]

Ok bulbs, holders etc all good.

How does the check panel (correctly) know the brakelights don't work even when the brake is not depressed i.e. the pedal is in contact with the switch??

Errmm once the brake pedal is depressed, how does the lack of contact with the switch trigger the brakelights?

As you guess I don't know much about electronics.......

 

[sumplug]

Ok bulbs, holders etc all good.

How does the check panel (correctly) know the brakelights don't work even when the brake is not depressed i.e. the pedal is in contact with the switch??

Errmm once the brake pedal is depressed, how does the lack of contact with the switch trigger the brakelights?

As you guess I don't know much about electronics.......

The check panel will check the circuit, and if it finds there is no current,or a broken circuit, it will put the light on. So on the brakes, will only put the light on when you press the brake pedal. Or if you put your headlights on, if a bulb has failed, it knows the circuit is not complete so sticks the warning light on. It tends to give false readings sometimes especially when wet/damp. Sorry but electronics are not my forte either.

Andy.

 

[maddogmorg]

if it's any help the brake lights are on the same fuse/circuit as your radio, ciggarette lighter/ left hand door open light. at least they are on the 1.4 i got. try the ciggarette lighter and radio. but sounds like this isn't a problem. just a guess really

 

[jonti]

That is helpful because it's not clear from the manuals. The brake switch had fallen apart, so I fitted a another switch. Both check lights are no longer on permanently (just now and then), but only one brake light works ! :chin:

Also regarding losing all electrics intermittently, a garage found a bad connection. Now the instrument panel is as bright as it used to be years ago - how strange is how a connection can partly work for such a long time.

 

[sumplug]

That is helpful because it's not clear from the manuals. The brake switch had fallen apart, so I fitted a another switch. Both check lights are no longer on permanently (just now and then), but only one brake light works ! :chin:

Also regarding losing all electrics intermittently, a garage found a bad connection. Now the instrument panel is as bright as it used to be years ago - how strange is how a connection can partly work for such a long time.

This will need 2 people. When you press the brake, test that the bulb holder is getting current. If it is, its the bulb. If its not, its the bulb holder or wiring.

Andy.

 

[jonti]

Erm.... I know that I have mains testing screwdriver and a multimeter. Could I use any of these and where exactly do i put what where? :nutter:

Cheers

 

[sumplug]

Erm.... I know that I have mains testing screwdriver and a multimeter. Could I use any of these and where exactly do i put what where? :nutter:

Cheers

screwdriver no, multitester yes. You need to find + feed to the bulb and - as well. When you make the circuit with the pedal, it should read on the meter. then find a good earth and test all wires for live. Then with a live, test all earths. Oh should say,swap the bulbs over first to see if it is a bulb.

Andy.