Brake light

An alchemy of sparks, copper wire and earth

Moderators: User administrators, Moderators

Post Reply
dogbreath100
Registered user
Posts: 120
Joined: 24 Feb 2013, 20:25
80-90 Mem No: 6251
Location: ireland

Brake light

Post by dogbreath100 »

Hi, I just noticed tonight that I have no brake lights .
Checked the fuses ( ceramic ) and all seems ok.
Had a look at the brake light switch, fiddled around with the wires but no luck.
Can't find my multimeter is there anything else that I could do .
Thanks .
1984 1.9 diesel1y

TheDocmeister
Registered user
Posts: 104
Joined: 04 Jun 2016, 13:18
80-90 Mem No: 15421
Location: Glasgow

Re: Brake light

Post by TheDocmeister »

Assuming that it's a mechanical pedal switch, then touching the wires together (rather than just wriggling them to clean the contacts) should power up the lights. Would show up a dodgy switch, but you'd still need to confirm there was power getting to the switch in the first place of course.
1982 2.0 Aircooled CI Autohomes Kamper

dogbreath100
Registered user
Posts: 120
Joined: 24 Feb 2013, 20:25
80-90 Mem No: 6251
Location: ireland

Re: Brake light

Post by dogbreath100 »

Thanks for that,I'll give it a go tomorrow .
Still looking for my multimeter .
1984 1.9 diesel1y

User avatar
bigherb
Registered user
Posts: 2579
Joined: 27 Mar 2008, 13:50
80-90 Mem No: 5789
Location: West Kent

Re: Brake light

Post by bigherb »

Just bridge out the terminals on the brake light switch plug, the lamps should illuminate if they do replace the switch. Don't bother with the cheap pattern part switches they are rubbish, buy from a VW dealer they are still available.
1982 Camper 1970 1500 Beetle Various Skoda's, Ariel Arrow

dogbreath100
Registered user
Posts: 120
Joined: 24 Feb 2013, 20:25
80-90 Mem No: 6251
Location: ireland

Re: Brake light

Post by dogbreath100 »

Tried all of the above but still no luck .
Changed the switch , got a cheap crappy one from the local motor factors , will get a genuine one later .
when I bridged the terminals I thought I heard a click behind me but still no brake lights
Everything else seems to be working fine .
1984 1.9 diesel1y

mariner
Registered user
Posts: 379
Joined: 05 Jul 2011, 20:04
80-90 Mem No: 9916
Location: Bristol

Re: Brake light

Post by mariner »

Hi guys. On holiday and have just found I have the same issue! Is there a particular fuse for the brake lights, can't see anything obvious from the diagrams I've looked at online. Cheers
1985 Super Viking with Subaru EJ22 (formerly 1.9 petrol DG)
1981 air-cooled 2.0 high top

Post Reply