Intermitant Brake Lights

[chunky62]

Hi All, I have a 2001 2.3 with a brake light prob, whenever the engine is turned on the bulb warning light stays on. I traced this to the brake lights. replaced all bulbs but still warning light stays on. I have now noticed that the brake light sometimes work which the warning light goes out but then they wont work again despite the warning light being off. so to sum it up sometimes they work sometimes they dont ..any ideas b4 i get rear ended

[keithys]

Could be the wiring in the tailgate my reverse lights were coming on everytime i braked and the middle brake light stopped working before the wiring was redone

[SilverBeast]

I had a bulb that wasn't contacting properly on mine.  Try removing both bulbs wiping contact with fine sand/emery paper and refit. See if they both feel like have the same spring resistance when refitting.

[gregers]

brake light switch maybe?

[mk2vr6]

first off you have to understand how the bulb warning light system works, it will remain on till it see's the brake light bulbs, until you hit the brake pedal it will stay on to signal a failed bulb/s! now if its going off and you say the brake lights dont work then start at the brake light switch and see if its ok? try resetting it and then start pulling the tail gate/rear lights apart to see where the voltage isnt going?

[BrianH]

Could be the wiring in the tailgate my reverse lights were coming on everytime i braked and the middle brake light stopped working before the wiring was redone

 

I'd look into whats been pointed out above if your still having problems (the wires running through the boot gaiter)

[chunky62]

first off you have to understand how the bulb warning light system works, it will remain on till it see's the brake light bulbs, until you hit the brake pedal it will stay on to signal a failed bulb/s! now if its going off and you say the brake lights dont work then start at the brake light switch and see if its ok? try resetting it and then start pulling the tail gate/rear lights apart to see where the voltage isnt going?

Hi and thanks. firstly where is the switch located?? is it hard to remove and secondly how do you reset it. many thanks in advance Dave

[gregers]

brake switch is under the dash board above brake pedal,iirc there is info on this in our faqs?if not do a search on the subject.

[BrianH]

Hi and thanks. firstly where is the switch located?? is it hard to remove and secondly how do you reset it. many thanks in advance Dave

Its on the pedal and theres instructions in the faq section at the top of this board for replacing it.