JamesT Posted July 29, 2002 Share Posted July 29, 2002 Stopped at lights. Bloke behind leans out of his window and shouts "Oi, you're brake lights don't work!". Usual thing - press the brake pedal - lights up - he goes "Oh, sorry". Not the first time this has happened, as I'm sure you'll understand. But. Get home and try it out in the garage... and sometimes they come on and sometimes they don't. (Think it's unlikely to be a ground problem.) There's a good 12V to the switch on the brake cylinder, but I can't get a probe on the output. As Caterham seem to have done a wonderful job of tying up the wiring harness, can someone give me an idea of where the wire goes off to, if anywhere, before getting to the rear light? Or is it straight off into the depths of the loom? Are faulty switches a common problem? Or am I looking in the wrong place?! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul McKenzie Posted July 29, 2002 Share Posted July 29, 2002 James, Remove the pedal box and you'll probably find the brake light switch has come loose - adjust and re-tighten Paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JamesT Posted July 29, 2002 Author Share Posted July 29, 2002 Yes, of course I was looking in completely the wrong place! So it's a switch operated by the pedal itself, not some hydraulic thingy. Shouldn't have given up before getting to B on my A to Z of motor mechanics. The switch output is pretty much always 12V, except for the odd occasion when the light comes on. Connections seem fine. Haven't tried hitting it with a hammer yet... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JamesT Posted July 29, 2002 Author Share Posted July 29, 2002 "Hammer" fixed it. Works every time now. At least I learnt something useful doing Electronics at Uni. A mate back in the 80's had a brake repeater LED on the dash of his Capri. Can see the use of it now. At least in a 7 it's easier for you to hear someone shouting at you though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DD Posted July 30, 2002 Share Posted July 30, 2002 James, I've had a similar problem, cured by taking the brake switch apart and cleaning the contacts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scooby dooby doo Posted July 30, 2002 Share Posted July 30, 2002 check the connections to the brake sensor switch as well. there should be two green wires on one terminal and two green/purple wires on the other. HOOPY Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JamesT Posted July 30, 2002 Author Share Posted July 30, 2002 Thanks for the advise. External connections are fine. If the problem comes back I'll take the switch apart... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Carmichael Posted July 30, 2002 Share Posted July 30, 2002 Have you drilled holes in the bottom of your light clusters? If not, the clusters can fill up with water causing weird symptoms. Check them now for signs of corrosion. *thumbup*253 bhp, up and running Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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