Technical Middle brake light not working

[ramborobert]

My middle brake light is not working either. Once I take the two screws out at the bottom and take the plastic off does the top bit just pull off? Likely to be loose connection or need a new lamp? Also I get number light warnings sometimes but they work ok I can't get at them the screws are completely rusted.

Seperate problem my indicators don't go off half the time is this a common problem anything you can do? It doesn't help my steering is slightly out of alignment how do I fix this?

Will any of the above fail an mot?

 

[ramborobert]

Well i was able to get the trim off and got to the brake light. When i disconnected it one of the pins just fell out. I took the light apart and soldered the pin back on (very fiddly im useless at soldering) anyways connected it back up and it works . All i have to do is put the trim back on, can anyone explain how those round white pins work do they come off completely so i can attach to the trim and just push it back on?

 

[RobConn]

Anyone considered the brake switch itself? as IIRC, the two halogen lamps and the CHMSL (third brake lamp) are controlled separately???

 

[Most Easterly Pandas]

Anyone considered the brake switch itself? as IIRC, the two halogen lamps and the CHMSL (third brake lamp) are controlled separately???

Where you seen that

All on the same circuit I though.

Whats CHMSL

 

[Davren]

All on the same circuit I though.

Can't remember whether it's the normal or high level lights that come on first, but if you stand behind the car and get someone to press the brake pedal, you'll see that there's a delay between the two.

One is switched on immediately directly from the brake light switch which also sends a signal to the Body Computer to switch the other on a fraction of a second later.

 

[Most Easterly Pandas]

Can't remember whether it's the normal or high level lights that come on first, but if you stand behind the car and get someone to press the brake pedal, you'll see that there's a delay between the two.

One is switched on immediately directly from the brake light switch which also sends a signal to the Body Computer to switch the other on a fraction of a second later.

High mounted one illuminates fractionally earlier in comprison to the main two, but thats because its LED and has a far faster responce time.

I've LED trailer lights, and they're wired into tail lamp feed, and they illuminate at same speed / time as high mout lamp, so I'd assume high mount is on the same feed as the other two stop lamps

 

[Davren]

Just checked with the wiring diagram. The brake switch (I30) switches 12v +ve from fuse F37 directly to the high level brake light (F40) and a signal to the Body Computer (M10) which, in turn, switches the normal brake lights (F30 & F31) on.

A second set of contacts in the brake light switch sends a signal to the engine management ECU for engine management, ABS and cruise control functions.
-

 

[Argonought]

I'd imagine any electronic/switching delay to the main brake lights to be insignificant.

MEP's observation that LED's illuminate faster is the principle reason the high mounted brake light is seen first (which in itself is positioned that way to promote early observation by distant following drivers).

A gather the reaction improvement is only about 160mS (less than a ¼ second) but just possibly enough to reduce a few insurance claims country wide

 

[ramborobert]

I think the op is gone I kinda stole it coz I had similar prob. So anyone know how the clips work?

 

[RobConn]

Where you seen that

All on the same circuit I though.

Whats CHMSL

CHMSL is Centre High Mounted Stop Lamp, sorry been working at Jaguar Land Rover too long :bang:

 

[ramborobert]

Got it sorted the clips or lugs are supposed to come off with the trim but they didnt so a modified fork and some cut fingers got them off. Then you put them on the trim and push it back on. Alot of the plastic breaks before the clips go free i got most of them back on though. The previous owner must have tried to fix it too and broke some of the plastic cause i can see its glued but its hardly noticeable. Glad i got it fixed

 

[sonscope]

Centre Rear light ACCESS?

Does anyone know how to access the centre rear brake light? I have taken off the 2 screws on teh carpet like panel neaar the rear door hinge in order to remove the carpeted part that goes around the window. However it has 2 more screws on it which are hidden underneath the bottom black plastic panel that covers the wiper motor. How do i get this plastic black panel off to access the other 2 screws on the carpeted part? It has 2 bolts screws that come out easily but I can't figure out what else is holding it in?