Brake Light Problems

Mr Hardware · 22-02-2009, 02:55 PM

I have this AU1 Classic that i'm in the process of fixing little problems on.
One outstanding problem i have is the brake lights do not activate. I can't seem to see why. I have checked that the globes are known working, i have changed the fuse and I have changed and checked the brake light switch. I don't know what could be wrong. Any ideas?

**Stav** · 22-02-2009, 02:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr Hardware

I have this AU1 Classic that i'm in the process of fixing little problems on.
One outstanding problem i have is the brake lights do not activate. I can't seem to see why. I have checked that the globes are known working, i have changed the fuse and I have changed and checked the brake light switch. I don't know what could be wrong. Any ideas?

It may be your switch on the foot pedal

Mr Hardware · 22-02-2009, 03:13 PM

Yeah, the brake light switch on the foot pedal, thats what i initially thought, switched brake light switches between both AUs and the problem remains on the AU1. So it's not the brake light switch unfortunately.

shazaam · 22-02-2009, 04:01 PM

maybe a broken/damaged wire running to the lights some where?

**Stav** · 22-02-2009, 04:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shazaam

maybe a broken/damaged wire running to the lights some where?

They get worn out.get a new one from ford and make sure the electrical connectors go back on right.

shazaam · 22-02-2009, 04:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stav

They get worn out.get a new one from ford and make sure the electrical connectors go back on right.

Huh? Was just suggesting perhaps there's a broken wire running to the lights mate.

Racecraft · 22-02-2009, 08:15 PM

check the fuses with a multi meter, failing that.... check the bulb holders.. those shoddy old bakerlight ones used to crack all the time and not let the bulb make contact with the pins..The new ones from Ford are a plastic and last sooooo much longer. While you are there make sure the 2 contact strips are not wedged flat into the base of the holder, flick them up with a small screw driver. Do you have parkers?

Racecraft · 22-02-2009, 08:51 PM

too late to edit... i am under the assumption that the centre one is working... if not it is fuse issue

Mr Hardware · 22-02-2009, 10:54 PM

nope, the centre one is not working either, tibbo.
i've swapped the fuse with the one from the hazard lights which i tested first, worked fine. Yeah i've changed many a brake light harness on the taxis and the revised ones are 1000000000 times better than the original ones. The bulb harnesses look fine. So yeah, it must be some wiring break somewhere.
Maybe auto sparky time?

Racecraft · 23-02-2009, 11:20 AM

are you getting parkers @ the rear?

Mr Hardware · 23-02-2009, 11:49 PM

yep, sure am.

noelex · 24-02-2009, 12:38 AM

Try taking the two connectors off brake switch, with multimeter check there is 12v with ignition turned on, if there is 12v get a short length of wire bare both ends and put and end in each of the electrical connectors turn ignition on and check if lights come on

JC · 24-02-2009, 09:40 AM

Also check the plugs into the instrument cluster. I had a similar issue on my NF, and it was because i forgot one plug - could be similar for the AU.

Mr Hardware · 24-02-2009, 09:55 AM

Okay, will try both of those after work and will report back.

bigred · 04-01-2011, 05:09 PM

Sorry to dig up an old thread - How did you go?

I have the same problem in an AU2.

Changed globes, checked fuses, changes the brake switch.

Not sure what to do next?

Mr Hardware · 04-01-2011, 05:48 PM

I ended up being rather time short and took it to an auto elec - he found that the plug that plugs into the brake light switch wasn't passing a signal through to the wires - so he re-headed the wires (put a new plug) to plug into the brake light switch. Oh and it cost me $20. Once again the professionals are the best route to take. Sometimes $20 is a lot better than ****ing away a saturday morning not knowing what i'm doing.

I do apologise for not finalising this thread at the time - I thoroughly detest when other people don't; I'm not setting a very good example am I!

Dezza · 05-01-2011, 06:41 PM

Ironic that the day after this thread returns my brake lights fail. Hopefully it's just the switch.

Mr Hardware · 05-01-2011, 07:07 PM

i think i've got a spare switch dezza - you can have it for $5 + post if thats what you need

Dezza · 05-01-2011, 07:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr Hardware

i think i've got a spare switch dezza - you can have it for $5 + post if thats what you need

Thanks mate but I just had a look in there and it appears one of the wires snapped off the plug, so switch will be fine. Bloody annoying that I'll have to redo the plug though

Mr Hardware · 05-01-2011, 07:27 PM

Ah okey doke

Dezza · 05-01-2011, 08:13 PM

All fixed. Soldered it back together

SLO247 · 26-05-2011, 12:23 AM

Just thought I'd add here for future reference that Tridon make a replacement switch.

Only about $10 new, so not worth screwing around with used ones.

Fitment is the same from EF-EL-AU.

Just thought I'd add it as I saw a wrecker here in Adelaide advertising used ones on eBay for $15.

Mr Hardware · 26-05-2011, 08:15 PM

Yeah, a Tridon TBS060, $14 from superheap.

fancyman · 08-06-2011, 09:16 PM

Hi
I have no rear brake lights, or front left hand head light, i have parkers. and center brake light works,
help.

POELWYK · 08-06-2011, 09:48 PM

change your Globes

fancyman · 09-06-2011, 12:16 PM

I have they keep blowing after a couple of weeks

Beer Baron · 09-06-2011, 04:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fancyman

I have they keep blowing after a couple of weeks

Measure the voltage at the failed lights. Too much voltage for an extended period of time makes them blow. Alternator regulator is usually the culprit.

Mr Hardware · 09-06-2011, 07:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fancyman

I have they keep blowing after a couple of weeks

stop buying crappy globes

fancyman · 11-06-2011, 12:46 PM

Ok Guys i fixed my dramas, my front head light globe is a 24v globe, it must of been put in last sevice/pink slip. so i replaces all blown globes and none have blown as yet,

andrea69au · 10-12-2011, 01:40 PM

hey all i was driving along when someone pointed out at the traffic lights that my rear drive lights were not working. have a ef ford station wagon after looking i found the rear drive lights werent working and also one brake light wasnt on the drivers side rear. so i got some replacement globes (after checking all the fuses in the panel as i dont no which one was the lights anyway as im female lol. and found nothing blown there. anyway pulled out the rear driver side lights and found it to be half full of water and the bottom light globe smached. so i drained all the water out of the cover and replaced both the top globe and the bottom globe with the right globes that auto pro sold me (looked at each globe to make sure they were the same) plugged everything back in and replaced the other sides globes even tho they werent broken. now nothing is working on the back except the indicators. so i lost the left brake light and the back window one now and still no other lights working on the back. can anyone tell me where the fuses are for the back end lights? are they under the dash on the right hand side with all the other car fuses in there. does anyone think the water getting in there has done something major to the wiring? we have had some major rain in the last months but this side cover i did replace not to long ago when some *** hole smached it so maybe it wasnt in tight enough to keep rain out or tho it seemed to be. im a single mum and have barely enough cash to even think about taking it in somewhere as i have just moved house and having alot to pay out with that. this is a nightmare. i am out on a farm renting and am a carer for 2 of my kids so the car is really needed. thank u