Problems With Brake And Rear Lights

[TimG]

Apologies if dealt with elsewhere - can't see it

 

Ford Galaxy 1.9tdi, 2002, import through 'Trade Sales'

 

Yesterday my NSR brake light bulb went. I replaced it, but about 5 miles later my NSR indicator bulb went, and coil glow switch lit up on dash, together with words 'Engine Workshop'. I replaced the indicator bulb, and the coil glow light was OK and message went. All seemed to work, but when I depressed the brake switch the 'bulb not working' light on the dash came on.

 

I checked again, and the NSR bulb had blown, so I replaced it.

 

Checked everything again, and found that when I turned the rear lights on, the brake lights came on as well, both NSR and OSR (which I hadn't gone anywhere near). If I depress the brake pedal there is a very slight increase in rear brake/light intensity, but not much. Also, when the brake pedal pushed, the 'bulb not working' dash light comes on.

 

(If the rear lights off and brake pedal pushed, rear lights and brake lights come on, NSR and OSR, and 'bulb not working' light on dash also lights.)

 

Is there an easy fix I'm missing? I'm very reluctant to drive this at the moment, and will not do so at night.

 

Thanks in advance.

[dave21]

hi sounds like your brake pedal switch is faulty they cost about ten pounds from main dealer. thier are threads on site to take you through fitting and removal

[seatkid]

Checked everything again, and found that when I turned the rear lights on, the brake lights came on as well, both NSR and OSR (which I hadn't gone anywhere near). If I depress the brake pedal there is a very slight increase in rear brake/light intensity, but not much. Also, when the brake pedal pushed, the 'bulb not working' dash light comes on.

 

(If the rear lights off and brake pedal pushed, rear lights and brake lights come on, NSR and OSR, and 'bulb not working' light on dash also lights.)

 

Is there an easy fix I'm missing? I'm very reluctant to drive this at the moment, and will not do so at night.

 

Thanks in advance.

 

You fitted the wrong bulb or the bulb is incorrectly fitted. The Gal uses a 21w/5w dual filament bulb with offset pins. You may have bought a single filament bulb or a dual filament bulb with standard pins. The other possibilty is that you "forced" the bulb in a incorect fashion so the connections are crossed.

 

In any case the parking/brake light circuits are shorted together confusing everyone including the on board computer.

[TimG]

Thanks for these.

 

I looked at the brake light I fitted and it's a single filament. The reason (I think!) I was confused was because I'd kept an old dual filament in the car, but this was not functioning properly. I've fitted this again, and it does light up but only to the same intensity as the rear light. The rear lights are now normal and not intense. Hopefully a new bulb will light up fully with the brake pedals, and not activate the warning light on the dash.

 

I'll get a new bulb and test (and remember not to trust the Halford's guide - they state the bulb needed is a 382, but this is the single filament)

 

Very grateful for the prompt reply

[edatelder]

Halfords and several other shops have the WRONG guides to bulbs. The dual filament is needed.

[TimG]

Thanks for all your answers - new bulbs (sourced from a Ford main dealer) cured everything.

 

Moral of the story - don't trust Halfords, and always keep your old burnt out bulbs for comparison

[myerh]

Apologies if dealt with elsewhere - can't see it

 

Ford Galaxy 1.9tdi, 2002, import through 'Trade Sales'

 

Yesterday my NSR brake light bulb went. I replaced it, but about 5 miles later my NSR indicator bulb went, and coil glow switch lit up on dash, together with words 'Engine Workshop'. I replaced the indicator bulb, and the coil glow light was OK and message went. All seemed to work, but when I depressed the brake switch the 'bulb not working' light on the dash came on.

 

I checked again, and the NSR bulb had blown, so I replaced it.

 

Checked everything again, and found that when I turned the rear lights on, the brake lights came on as well, both NSR and OSR (which I hadn't gone anywhere near). If I depress the brake pedal there is a very slight increase in rear brake/light intensity, but not much. Also, when the brake pedal pushed, the 'bulb not working' dash light comes on.

 

(If the rear lights off and brake pedal pushed, rear lights and brake lights come on, NSR and OSR, and 'bulb not working' light on dash also lights.)

 

Is there an easy fix I'm missing? I'm very reluctant to drive this at the moment, and will not do so at night.

 

Thanks in advance.

I once had a similar problem and found i had put in an incorerct bulb