Brake Lights Not Working

[ATB]

Problem number 2 in as many days - I wonder what day 3 will bring? <gulp>

 

Brake lights are not working, apart from the high level one at the top of the rear windscreen (all bulbs are OK).

 

Glowplug light on dash has also started flashing all the time.

 

Searching the forum, I've found some posts relating to the switch on the brake pedal - if this is broken it causes the glowplug light to flash.

 

I will replace the switch as soon as the local VW/Audi parts department opens tomorrow but does anyone know why only the two normal brake lights are not working and why the high-level one still does? Is this because of the switch or something else?

 

Also, the posts I've found mention that there are two switches on the brake pedal - a black one and a blue one - but I only have a black one with a blank slot where the blue one is, I assume, supposed to fit. Can anyone answer that one as well?

 

Thanks all

ATB

[seatkid]

Check the wiring loom in the tailgate rubber boot first. Broken or shorted wires.

[ATB]

Check the wiring loom in the tailgate rubber boot first. Broken or shorted wires.

 

Did check - loads of wires with cracked sheaths - repaired them all with insulation tape, but it's made no difference.

 

Any other ideas?

 

Thanks

ATB

[Taygarth]

Hi

 

Do you have a wiring for a towing plug - i had this problem and it turned out to be wires shorting in the towing loom

[seatkid]

If the high level stop is working, it is either the electronic current sensing circuit in the Central junction box which is under the fuse box -(this item doesnt appear to be replaceable), or it is simply a wiring fault. Its not related to the brake switch as all brake lights (inc high level) are fed off the same switch circuit.

 

Work back from the bulbs (they are the correct bulbs right way round?) check for voltage at the bulb base and then the wires in the loom (black/red - RH, black/white - LH). It is common for wires to break internally in the rubber gaitor - you would not see this as the sheath will still cover the broken cores.

 

 

I do wish people would make more of an effort to obtain/read wiring diagram themselves (TIS CD). :blink:

[ATB]

Hi

 

Do you have a wiring for a towing plug - i had this problem and it turned out to be wires shorting in the towing loom

 

I do have a towing plug actually - will check if there's anything loose, etc. - how did your short manifest itself?

 

Thanks

ATB

[motorwise]

it will need a new brake light switch - this also throws a code to the ECU hence the glow plug light

 

you can confirm by an ECU scan but I come across this a lot - be careful to fit the switch using the correct procedure or you'll break the insides of it leaving the brake lights on all the time

 

good luck

[ATB]

it will need a new brake light switch - this also throws a code to the ECU hence the glow plug light

 

you can confirm by an ECU scan but I come across this a lot - be careful to fit the switch using the correct procedure or you'll break the insides of it leaving the brake lights on all the time

 

good luck

 

New brake light switch fitted (

[ATB]

If the high level stop is working, it is either the electronic current sensing circuit in the Central junction box which is under the fuse box -(this item doesnt appear to be replaceable), or it is simply a wiring fault. Its not related to the brake switch as all brake lights (inc high level) are fed off the same switch circuit.

 

Work back from the bulbs (they are the correct bulbs right way round?) check for voltage at the bulb base and then the wires in the loom (black/red - RH, black/white - LH). It is common for wires to break internally in the rubber gaitor - you would not see this as the sheath will still cover the broken cores.

 

 

I do wish people would make more of an effort to obtain/read wiring diagram themselves (TIS CD). -_-

 

Thanks agin - will start checking this out.

 

I've got the wiring diagram from the TIS CD and I've read it - trouble is I'm non the wiser once I've read it! Not everyone is an electrical engineer..... ;-)

[ATB]

check for voltage at the bulb base and then the wires in the loom (black/red - RH, black/white - LH). It is common for wires to break internally in the rubber gaitor - you would not see this as the sheath will still cover the broken cores.

 

Can find a black/red wire in the gaitor, but not a black/white one (nor any tails indicating a broken wire either).

 

How can I check the voltage in the wires in the gaitor without cutting them?

 

Thanks

ATB

[chromedome]

Use a small pin (take one out the wife's sewing box) and "puncture" the insulation. Then touch the pin with your test meter. When finished just rub the wire around between your fingers and no one will ever know you've been there. Edited July 7, 2007 by chromedome

[motorwise]

it will need a new brake light switch - this also throws a code to the ECU hence the glow plug light

 

you can confirm by an ECU scan but I come across this a lot - be careful to fit the switch using the correct procedure or you'll break the insides of it leaving the brake lights on all the time

 

good luck

 

New brake light switch fitted (

[Taygarth]

When I had this problem the glow plug light flashed and the display said engine workshop.

The brake lights did various things like operating in reverse ie on when the brake pedel was not pushed - the high level light appeared to operate but was dimmer than usual.

The fault was intermitant, somtimes dissapearing for weeks.

As I said it was eventually traced to the black towing plug - one of the pins had pushed back and was shorting to another, I cannot recal which pins

[ATB]

Well now my gabber is well and truly flasted...

 

Having poked and prodded all weekend, not finding anything wrong with voltages, towing plugs, etc. I eventually gave up and took it to my local - and trusted - independent garage as I was out of time.

 

Had a call from them 10 minutes later saying it was all fixed - they'd just changed both bulbs!!!

 

I KNOW I checked the bulbs first-off, they were fine. I'm at a loss... I'm also mortally embarrassed, but they were good humoured enough when I picked it up!

 

Still at least it's fixed and they didn't charge me anything.

 

For anyone in the Ipswich area, I highly recommend Auto-Fit, just off Woodbridge road - top bunch of guys!

 

ATB

[seatkid]

Embarassed? :lol:

 

It happens to us all.... :lol:

Edited July 9, 2007 by seatkid

[ATB]

Embarassed? ;)

 

Yup!

 

Going to get my wife to take it back in on Friday for it's service and MOT - can't face them again so soon!

[nick01]

Hi

Have had my Galaxy TDi for a couple of months now, very pleased with it!! My glow plug light came on and after speaking to a few people I was told to check oil levels etc etc. All seemed fine, then someone else said check the brake light switch, this I did yesterday afternoon, having also found this site as well, the brake lights were not working. I took the switch out and took it apart and cleaned the contacts, which were well pitted. I put it back and 'hey presto' the brake lights worked, but the glow light is still flashing. Does this need resetting by a garage or does this mean there is another problem.

[Bigjeeze]

Check the switch again - and also check the bulbs - take them out and re insert them as it may be mild corrosion in the fittings.