Brake light failure.

Neil_B

Any advice most definitely welcome because I'm not accustomed to dealing with various mechanic services.

Vauxhall Movano van. Both n/s and o/s brake lights do not work. Not intermittent - all of the time.
So far-
can't be switch because a repeater light on the back door is working. Hence also can't be fuse cos it must be the same circuit?

My worry is that the sources of these problems are very difficult to identify so costs of several hours of labour may be incurred - and turn out to be something simple.
Generally have an attitude of judge people as I find them and assume honest. Still feel somewhat at the mercy of whoever I employ to resolve this - could easily rip me off?

i've approached the garage where it was last MOTd before i bought it - best i could think of. It also needs MOT and toying with the idea of a service. My thinking was that theymight be a bit happier with that and not be too ready to charge over the top if they were already being paid for MOT and service - does that make sense - sorry really am niaive in these things.

for the electrical work they have quoted me a very reasonable £40 per hour but won't give an estimate - I can understand really.

I need to sort this and I have no idea if i am being dumb, over suspicious or worrying too much sooooooooo - any comments or advice appreciated.

Thanks.

MX5huggy

What do you mean by the repeater light?

Conor_3

Neil_B wrote: »

Any advice most definitely welcome because I'm not accustomed to dealing with various mechanic services.

Vauxhall Movano van. Both n/s and o/s brake lights do not work. Not intermittent - all of the time.
So far-
can't be switch because a repeater light on the back door is working. Hence also can't be fuse cos it must be the same circuit?

So it'll be the bulbs which you've never checked despite the fact that you should on a weekly basis. There's probably been one out for ages but being such a well serviced vehicle, it's been like that so long that the other has gone out as well.

Neil_B

conor, be fair.Not regularly serviced? i had only owned it 11 months or less when this happened.

Both bulbs have been checked and are fine.

For the other responder - 'repeater' is a third brake light situated in one of the back doors - working perfectly.
-

hewhoisnotintheknow

try differnt bulb, often they look fine but are duff

owned for 11 months? Its not due its mot by any chance?

davetrousers

Not heard of Brake light repeaters before.

I'd change bulbs around first, swap a good with a bad.

Then check for any dodgy connections.

Then get a multi meter out and check connectivity.

Neil_B

hewhoisnotintheknow wrote: »

try differnt bulb, often they look fine but are duff

owned for 11 months? Its not due its mot by any chance?

Hmmm. Not quite sure what you are inferring there. It is indeed due - overdue now. This happened quite suddenly at exactly the time the MOT was due. - Honest guv! LOL I had said above that it was due MOT.

I can't claim to have checked lights every week as Conor suggested and quite rightly - but certainly have done about once a month.
I was actually alerted by another driver as i pulled into a retail park. Good for him. Even though i do not recall checking at any time closely previous to that I live in a very busy area of London and am sure that someone would have said something or BiB would have pulled me if it had been the case for any period of time.

Neil_B

davetrousers wrote: »

Not heard of Brake light repeaters before.

I'd change bulbs around first, swap a good with a bad.

Then check for any dodgy connections.

Then get a multi meter out and check connectivity.

think I've covered it but maybe not enough.

Both bulbs were swopped into the fog light socket as all 21W I think. All ok. A friend did bring along a new bulb to try but it was a dual use version so no fit.

Both circuit boards in the light units are very clean, no moisture and also very sturdy looking compared to some of the flimsier versions I have seen. No evidence of a short in either.

As for 'connectivity' errr TILT. I might know a thing or two about parking issues for some daft reason but i am a total numpty with electrics. Oh i know what you mean and did buy a half decent meter - can't figure out for the life of me how it works and happy to leave it to the pros just as long as I don't get ripped off.

MX5huggy

I would try an auto electrician rarther than your normal garage.

goldspanners

if your sure the bulbs are the correct ones then why not just re wire the lights. use the 3rd brake light as a source for power.

Neil_B

goldspanners wrote: »

if your sure the bulbs are the correct ones then why not just re wire the lights. use the 3rd brake light as a source for power.

I was reading another thread a few days ago and one of the forum guides mentioned you in quite favourable terms. I now see why! what a diamond!

Doh! why didn't I think of that? So staring me in the face.

I'm off to Maplins and will definitely give it a try. Just a couple of concerns if you can put my mind at ease please.>>

Existing wiring is permanently factory fixed into a multiplug in the back of each light unit. So do I >>

a) just intercept that with an appropriate connector and leave the original circuit intact. >>> OR

b) Cut. Insulate off the old circuit and connect only to a point near each multi plug.

Another concern is that the original fault may be due to an earthing short somewhere - although there has been nothing i can think of happened to cause it? Will the old circuit and the short be a danger in any way or is it minimal because it is not used permanently - current only flows when brakes applied?

Many thanks again for the great idea!