Page 1 of 2

Brake warning lamp on dash 4th gen

Posted: Sun Nov 12, 2023 4:01 pm
by vanzep
My BB1 shows intermittent brake warning lamp on dash.
Some days it lights up and stays on and other days it goes on then goes off when restarting car and some days no warning lamp.
This has being going on/off for some years now.
Fluid levels and brake bulbs all ok.
No issue with brakes or handbrake.

I have seen a few different possibilities for this:

Could be the brake lamp failure box in the rear cluster
or
Could be a fault with the sensor in the brake reservoir cap

Just wondering if any one else has had this issue and info on what fixed it :)

Brake warning lamp on dash 4th gen

Posted: Sun Nov 12, 2023 4:54 pm
by Scott560
if your bulbs aren't blown, then my money would be on the level sensor in the cap.

Brake warning lamp on dash 4th gen

Posted: Mon Nov 13, 2023 8:55 am
by Merlin
On my BB4 I had to ground off the sensor in the rear cluster. Indigolemon did a write up of it somewhere.

Brake warning lamp on dash 4th gen

Posted: Mon Nov 13, 2023 9:16 am
by Drax
do you have a 3rd rear brake light, one of the oem ones? check that isnt filled with water like mine does.... :shock: could be the cause.

otherwise, level sensor in the cap is likely :thumbup:

Brake warning lamp on dash 4th gen

Posted: Tue Nov 14, 2023 11:10 am
by wurlycorner
You sure it's not the handbrake switch?

Brake warning lamp on dash 4th gen

Posted: Tue Nov 14, 2023 4:40 pm
by vanzep
Thanks for the replies/suggestions:

no its the brake lamp warning that is lit up on the dash - the handbrake warning lamp is ok
I checked all bulbs at the rear cluster and the high level 3rd brake lamp (no water in there as i have removed the rear wiper jet from the roof and sealed it up) and they look ok they are dual filament 5w/21w. Also checked fluid level at brake mc reservoir all ok.
Fitted two new bulbs in the rear cluster but warning light persisted but after parking up later on and restarting the car it has gone out (for now). I am expecting it to go back on at some point....not sure about the resistor boxes in the rear cluster - looks like possibly another wire has been added to passenger side cluster- might be something to do with the aftermarket alarm.
Does anyone know the bulb size/designation for the ones in the high level 3rd brake lamp - as they look different. I might fit some new ones as they have never been replaced.

Brake warning lamp on dash 4th gen

Posted: Tue Nov 14, 2023 8:27 pm
by indigolemon
Hey Nick, been far too long. Hopefully these images help if you want to try and disable the sensor. First two were me testing my theory, second two show the solution. By tapping the plug side it just becomes part of the 'loom' as it were.

Image

Image

Image

Image

Brake warning lamp on dash 4th gen

Posted: Wed Nov 15, 2023 8:22 am
by Merlin
That's the one! This stopped my brake lamp from coming on.

Brake warning lamp on dash 4th gen

Posted: Thu Nov 16, 2023 6:59 pm
by vanzep
Thanks G :)
the dash warning light for brake lamp went on again on start up and went out when restarted once parked up.... :twisted:

Bulbs in rear cluster:
Indicator - Stanley 3497. single filament 21w
Brake Light - Bay 15dP21w/5w dual filament
Reverse Light - 1156 21w single filament

High Level 3rd Brake Lamp:

BU921 - 18w single filament x 2

Brake warning lamp on dash 4th gen

Posted: Fri Nov 17, 2023 9:01 am
by Drax
8) shall we add this thread to the tech section?