Freelander 1 Brake lights problem on TD4

Hi All,
I have posted a couple of times before , still have the same td4 and have been doing a few bits to it .
Yesterday was replacing pads, discs and calipers on both front wheels all went well except that when i was backing out my buddy noticed both my brake lights aren't working , the top one above the spare wheel on the back door is working fine but both lower ones not working.
The bulbs are fine as i tested them in the reverse sockets , reverse lights are working fine. fuses all good . Pulled out the brake switch and tore it down and cleaned and sanded the connectors but i assume that the switch is ok because otherwise how would the center brake light be working. I ordered a new switch anyway because just in case.
So i started looking at the bulb holder connections and they all look good .
So i started pulling out the rear panneling to get a look at the wiring and i think i might have found the problem .
There is a blue wire that looks like it might have broke off from somewhere but the question is where do i put it back?

In addition there are no DTC codes to read and maybe the blue wire is not supposed to go anywhere , I cant see an obvious place for it.

Do you have a copy of the Rave Workshop manual?

Its free, runs on a windows PC (its an ISO file you mount as a drive letter) and there's info on downloading it here...

https://www.landyzone.co.uk/land-rover/rave-disk-maintenance-manual.260227/

Make sure you download the later one for TD4/K/KV6 not the earlier one for L/K Series cars.

It has comprehensive wiring diagrams - so you should be able to see what is different between the 2 lower lights and the top one - eg the 2 bottom ones share an earth that the top one doesn't. Each connector is numbered in the diagrams and there is a separate section that has a picture of each connector so you can find it on the car.

Thank you for your reply I will have a look

So I had a look and I have to admit it's all a bit over my head

In the rave manual under 2003my - description and operation - brake and reverse lamps - brake lamps it says:


Brake Lamps .The brake pedal switch (C0075) is provided an ignition feed from fuse 2 of the passenger
compartment fuse box (C0580) on a G wire.
When the brake pedal is pressed, current flows across the switch (C0075) to the following on GP wires:z The RH brake lamp (C0125).z The RH brake lamp (C0489) (NAS vehicles only).z The LH brake lamp (C0121).z The LH brake lamp (C0490) (NAS vehicles only).z The Centre High Mounted Stop Lamp (CHMSL) (C0613).z The trailer pick-up (C0499) (GP then R wire).z The ABS ECU (C0501).
All brake lamps are earthed on a B wire. The trailer pick-up is earthed on a W then B wire

NOTE: The brake pedal switch (C0075) provides a second feed to the ABS ECU on a GR
wire. For more information on ABS operation, refer to the 'Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)'
section of this manual.

I don't know what a b or w wire is or where to find it right now
Gonna have another read

ponythegringo said:

The bulbs are fine as i tested them in the reverse sockets , reverse lights are working fine.

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The brake/tail lights won't work in the reverse light position, as the brake/tail bulbs have duel filaments, and ofset pins, so won't fit in the incorrect socket, or the wrong way round in the correct socket.

Are you sure you're checking the brake/tail bulbs next to the indicators, and not the fog lights next to the reverse lights?

Nodge68 said:

Are you sure you're checking the brake/tail bulbs next to the indicators, and not the fog lights next to the reverse lights?

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My thoughts exactly!! Many think the brake lights are above the bumper, these are fog lights. Test the lights in the bumper itself, they may actually work!!!

ponythegringo said:

There is a blue wire that looks like it might have broke off from somewhere but the question is where do i put it back?

Click to expand...

The blue wire is unused, and is for the trailer lighting plug wiring.
Blue is normally for trailer fogs.


The high level brake light can't work, if the brake lights in the bumper don't, as they're on the same circuit. My guess is, the brake light bulbs have failed.

andyfreelandy said:

Test the lights in the bumper itself, they may actually work!!!

Click to expand...

Or the brake filaments have failed.

or matey looked at the wrong lamps !!!

ok so my brake lights are the ones up with the reverse lights , the bottom 2 red ones on the bumper are just running lights that come on with the headlights. The indicators on the back bumper are also working fine

Plus the bulbs are working because i took each one out and tested them in a reverse lamp socket

ponythegringo said:

View attachment 241451 ok so my brake lights are the ones up with the reverse lights , the bottom 2 red ones on the bumper are just running lights that come on with the headlights. The indicators on the back bumper are also working fine

Plus the bulbs are working because i took each one out and tested them in a reverse lamp socket

Click to expand...

The red lights below the reverse lights are or should be fog lights!!

The tail lights (next to the indicators) which come on with the head lights are also brake lights, getting brighter or lighting up when the brake is applied.

Anything other than this operation isn't correct, and either the brake filament in the brake/tail bulbs have failed, or someone has messed with the wiring.

I'm an idiot.
I've not driven it for a year and forgot about what way the lights were configured . Turns out the bulb was gone in the driver side light and the passenger side was very corroded and a connecter snapped off during cleaning so ordering a new brake/ indicator connector set and that should be that . The fact that both lights came on with headlights threw me off . did not expect it to be dual-filament.
Thanks to all who commented and gave assistance

As said above, many have made the same mistake about the lights. They look odd.

I have rewired to give high and low level side lights, fogs in bumper, reverse in bumper and indicator and brake up top.

Much easier to see in the distance.

andyfreelandy said:

Much easier to see in the distance

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Except if the tail door is open (spare wheel blocks the RH light), say at night when broken down, in which case it looks like a motorbike, indicating left if the hazard lights are on, which is why LR configured the lights in the original way.

That's why I have high and low level sidelights. So 4 in total.

Oh the indicator I see.
Never leave the door open when broken down!!

Nodge68 said:

Except if the tail door is open (spare wheel blocks the RH light), say at night when broken down, in which case it looks like a motorbike, indicating left if the hazard lights are on, which is why LR configured the lights in the original way.

Click to expand...

Hi Nodge ! Have no parking loghts front & back, and no rear registration plate lights working. All fuses are good and the bulbs are good .....any ideas ? No power getting to them..... regards Arnodafe72

andyfreelandy said:

Oh the indicator I see.
Never leave the door open when broken down!!

Click to expand...

Hi Andy ! Have no parking lights front & back, and no rear registration plate lights working. All fuses are good and the bulbs are good .....any ideas ? No power getting to them..... Freelander 1 petrol. regards Arnodafe72