High Level (3rd) Brake Light 4th gen

Post by **vanzep** » Sat Jul 20, 2019 7:21 pm

Not sure what the issue is but the high level (3rd) brake light on my BB1 has stopped working.
This is the 2 lamp roof mounted brake light found on preface 4th Gens.
Not sure if there is a seperate fuse for this but both bulbs were working the other day but now neither work and the brake lamp warning light is light up on the dash. Ive checked all the bulbs in the rear light clusters and all is ok with them.
Bulbs look ok and cant see any obvious problem with the unit

Any help would be appreciated

Edit: Also want to check im using correct bulbs for this - i have fitted at present Stanley (921 T15 Capless) 12v 18w is this right?

Post by **vanzep** » Tue Jul 23, 2019 12:44 pm

Ok so one of the rear tailight brake lights blew the other day so it could be the bulbs in the high level brake light have also blown but just i cant see it clearly. Ive ordered up some new bulbs and will see if that fixes it.

Post by **Merlin** » Tue Jul 23, 2019 4:21 pm

I will be around this weekend, we can get the test lamp or multi meter out and have a poke around?

Post by **Drax** » Tue Jul 23, 2019 4:45 pm

my 3rd brake light filled with water and now it just stays on

plus i get the "brake" light come on the dash but i just ignore it as the wife will shout at me if i have a normal brake light out

Post by **vanzep** » Tue Jul 23, 2019 9:09 pm

Merlin wrote: ↑
Tue Jul 23, 2019 4:21 pm
I will be around this weekend, we can get the test lamp or multi meter out and have a poke around?

Yes that would be good i tried a test today with 9volt battery and bulbs are working - plugged the unit in and it doesnt work

So ive had this unit fail - the drivers side reverse light in the rear cluster blow and the brake light in the passenger side rear cluster blow - all in the last week or so

Drax wrote: ↑
Tue Jul 23, 2019 4:45 pm
my 3rd brake light filled with water and now it just stays on plus i get the "brake" light come on the dash but i just ignore it as the wife will shout at me if i have a normal brake light out

Yes it worked fine when it had water in it - now ive sorted the leaks things have stopped working ffs

Post by **vanzep** » Tue Jul 30, 2019 7:00 pm

Managed to get the high level brake light working again.
I had changed the rear clusters to try and get rid of the light on the dash but it seems this may have caused an issue with the high level lamp. So i put the old rear clusters back in and the high level lamp now works BUT i still have the warning on the dash - all bulbs in the brake light system are working so issue must be with the safety indicator units in the back of the rear clusters or a problem elsewhere such as ICM or Brake Pedal switch which also has some connection with cruise control. Thinking back i did try out the cruise for the first time a week or so ago so will check the brake light switch and safety indicator units. Im sure ive read you can take the safety indicator units out altogether but that for me would be a last resort.

Post by **newkid** » Tue Jul 30, 2019 9:06 pm

@indigolemon sure you had a guide for the warning system to be removed?

Post by **indigolemon** » Tue Jul 30, 2019 9:28 pm

Yeah, you need to ground a wire - this one on the OSR light:

Post by **vanzep** » Wed Jul 31, 2019 11:14 pm

cheers - will have a look