Brake Bulb Blown Indicator

[Guest ian@pidds.vispa.com]

We have a 1998 Ford Galaxy 2.3 Ghia.

 

It regularly blows brake light bulbs (2 - 4 per year). Just recently the dash indicators are on all the time indicating both brake light bulbs are blown and indeed, neither brake lights are working.

 

Thinking that they do go pretty regularly and it must just be coincidence I changed them both. No change. I visually checked the fuse (No 20 I seem to remember) and it looks OK - not obviously blown.

 

Any one got any bright ideas ? :(

 

Thanks & regards

 

Ian

[ridway]

You could try measuring the system voltage, although if this is high I would have thought you would have had problems with other bulbs as well. With the engine off you should have no more than 12.8 volts dc after a couple of mins from switching off the engine. When running the voltage should never really exceed 15 volt dc. I suppose you could have an intermitent fault with the alternator regulator, it could be surging to a high voltage ocassionally. If this is the case it needs further investigation as this could damage other components. Do you notice any fluctuation in headlight intensity when cruising?

 

Rich

[Guest vr6galaxy]

Just recently the dash indicators are on all the time indicating both brake light bulbs are blown and indeed, neither brake lights are working.

 

Check the brake light switch, if this fails the bulb indicator panel will show that both bulbs have failed as it cant see them, also check the high level brake light if fitted? as its piggy backed onto the brake light circuit

[Topbloke]

sounds like the dredded brake switch fault ! but which one ! :(

[Topbloke]

forgot to add that my car uses 4/6 brake bulbs per year but i put it down to being an auto and always on the brakes in town

[Ivor_E_Tower]

Hmm, I get pretty fed up stuck at traffic lights etc behind people who leave their foot on the brake, dazzling me with all their brake lights. There ought to be a device that switches the brake lights off automatically after the vehicle has been stationary for 5 seconds. What's wrong with using the hand-brake?

[Topbloke]

whats a hand brake its auto its not needed if it was not for the m o t's i would take the damn thing save weight and lower my fuel consumption

[Ivor_E_Tower]

..so stick it in "P" when you come to a halt then!

[Topbloke]

then i have to put my foot back on the pedal, select drive if im lucky, then get tooted at for taking to bloody long or the lighs have gone red or the gap on the roundabout has gone :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

[Ivor_E_Tower]

I'm not going to win, am I?

:rolleyes:

[Topbloke]

whats to win its just a bit of banter

[Ivor_E_Tower]

I know, it is just a general thing now that all new cars have high-level brake lights, some with say 6 or 7 segments each with 5 watt bulb; you get dazzled by 35 watts or more of high-level lamp, plus the 2 x 21 watt normal brake lamps when you get stuck behind someone who leaves their foot on the brake pedal when stopped.

 

Gets very annoying some times! At least in a Gal you sit higher than most normal brake lamps so the dazzle is reduced a bit :rolleyes:

[seatkid]

There ought to be a device that switches the brake lights off automatically after the vehicle has been stationary for 5 seconds.

Great for rear end shunters... :rolleyes:

[JuicyP]

Sounds very similar to my problem. In the past week two fuses blew. Then on Thursday after work, despite pressing the brake pedal, the rear brake lights (x3) refused to work. I tried fuses/relays then gave up and drove home. On the way the warning cleared and the lights started to work. I stopped at a garage on the way and when I started up it happened again.

 

Switch, or someother problem? Any ideas