can I bodge series 3 brake lights just for 1 night ?

neilc75 · Jul 4, 2023

Its my daughters prom this week and she wants me to take her and three of her friends in the series 3 , all good on inspection apart from the brake lights , they wont come on , rear lights all work apart from brake lights , turns out no power to switch , can I as a very temporary Bodge run a live wire with a fuse directly from the battery to the switch? , I appreciate that this isnt an ideal solution however Ive got approx 2 hours spare this week to sort, I dont see why this would be a problem , its literally for approx 3 hours.

Turboman · Jul 4, 2023

neilc75 said:
Its my daughters prom this week and she wants me to take her and three of her friends in the series 3 , all good on inspection apart from the brake lights , they wont come on , rear lights all work apart from brake lights , turns out no power to switch , can I as a very temporary Bodge run a live wire with a fuse directly from the battery to the switch? , I appreciate that this isnt an ideal solution however Ive got approx 2 hours spare this week to sort, I dont see why this would be a problem , its literally for approx 3 hours.

As long as the lights come on when you press the brake pedal, it is fine. Will probably work for years.

kermit_rr · Jul 4, 2023

dont see why not so long as you disconnect and isolate the existing wire

Bobsticle · Jul 4, 2023

Strangely that’s what Land Rover did. They took a wire from the live to the brake switch.

Ooda thowt.

boguing · Jul 4, 2023

Two of mine came to me with extra wires to the brake light switch.

neilc75 · Jul 4, 2023

Bobsticle said:
Strangely that’s what Land Rover did. They took a wire from the live to the brake switch.

Ooda thowt.

Good call , just never that happy to wire directly from battery.

kermit_rr · Jul 4, 2023

neilc75 said:
just never that happy to wire directly from battery.

Pussy

Turboman · Jul 4, 2023

neilc75 said:
Good call , just never that happy to wire directly from battery.

If there is a fuse and a switch between the lights and the battery, it isn't direct.

I can't remember what Series 3s have got, but on a Series 2, which doesn't have much less electrics, there is only one glass fuse for the entire electrical system.

lynall · Jul 4, 2023

Turboman said:
If there is a fuse and a switch between the lights and the battery, it isn't direct.

I can't remember what Series 3s have got, but on a Series 2, which doesn't have much less electrics, there is only one glass fuse for the entire electrical system.

Iirc that one fuse only does horn and wipers?
They got posh later and had two glass fuses!

Always carry a spare length of wire and some choccy blocks in the series, once got my headlights going for the 120mile run home.

Turboman · Jul 4, 2023

lynall said:
Iirc that one fuse only does horn and wipers?
They got posh later and had two glass fuses!

Always carry a spare length of wire and some choccy blocks in the series, once got my headlights going for the 120mile run home.

I think it might do sidelights and tail lights as well. But whatever it does, it doesn't blow very much, I assume most people have fitted bigger fuses over the years.

One thing it doesn't do is the starting, that is taken care of by a simple mechanical push button that puts all the current direct to the starter and ignition.

neilc75 · Jul 4, 2023

Ok I've got an issue now, I've removed the switch and its stuck in, Im assuming it should be out, I tried hitting it, drowning it in wd40 and heating it up, I'm assuming that it should be on a spring and easy to push in and then spring back, I would have thought however if it was stuck in then the lights would be permanently on? I need a replacement before Friday in Birmingham, any suggestions please

neilc75 · Jul 4, 2023

Eurocarparts have similar, I might have to give that a go, I imagine the thread might be wrong though.

steve2286w · Jul 4, 2023

Should think Halfords would have one, switch is no 37 and green wire from no8 on fuse block has the live you’re looking for

steve2286w · Jul 4, 2023

Here’s one for series

kermit_rr · Jul 4, 2023

They did a brass one too, i think

Hicap phill · Jul 5, 2023

neilc75 said:
Ok I've got an issue now, I've removed the switch and its stuck in, Im assuming it should be out, I tried hitting it, drowning it in wd40 and heating it up, I'm assuming that it should be on a spring and easy to push in and then spring back, I would have thought however if it was stuck in then the lights would be permanently on? I need a replacement before Friday in Birmingham, any suggestions please View attachment 292140

Craddocks should have 1 on the shelf.

neilc75 · Jul 5, 2023

Thanks ill have a look , got some possibles there. I would have thought the plunger being stuck in would have put the light on permanently , any thoughts?

Hicap phill · Jul 5, 2023

neilc75 said:
Thanks ill have a look , got some possibles there. I would have thought the plunger being stuck in would have put the light on permanently , any thoughts?

Thought they operate the other way round. Plunger out bridges the switch on a spring.
Give it a good knock to see if it’s jammed up. Plenty of cleaning fluid may help.

neilc75 · Jul 5, 2023

Ive managed to get one , I googled classic car spares and there was a place hidden away 4 mins from my work place BSB car spares , West Bromwich , I called ahead he had it waiting on the counter when I arrived , great customer service , would recommend, one of those places hidden away on an industrial estate ,

samc88 · Jul 8, 2023

Ive not had much luck with those brass switches (went through 3 duff new ones in a month, various brands including Lucas). Ended up making up a bit of angle inside the cab and fitting the later plastic switch from a 90. Was meant to be temporary but it works so well Ive just left it

can I bodge series 3 brake lights just for 1 night ?

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