I seem to have no brakelights!

I have a '93 defender 90.

Just the other night I spotted I have no brakelights. All other lights come on and go off as they should, just the brakelights don't come on with the pedal. Checked the obvious and they're still plugged in at the servo.

Is there a fuse to check for this? I have a new electrical tester in my hands, just need the odd pointer or two of where to start really

thanks

pbuf said:

I have a '93 defender 90.

Just the other night I spotted I have no brakelights. All other lights come on and go off as they should, just the brakelights don't come on with the pedal. Checked the obvious and they're still plugged in at the servo. but is it functioning?

Is there a fuse to check for this? I have a new electrical tester in my hands, just need the odd pointer or two of where to start really

thanks

Click to expand...

Brake light switch ?

Have you checked for voltage at the bulb holders?

Check fuse behind fusebox cover in the centre above gearbox tunnel, check that it's not blowing fuses as soon as you hit the brakes and the correct rating fuse is used, as above check for voltage at the bulb holder contacts, could be the brake light switch might just need adjusting

http://www.landyzone.co.uk/lz/f7/brake-light-switch-141532.html

might help

Given its age you may have had a new rear cross member fitted and as I found the fitter may have just cut the rear lighting loom where it comes out of the chassis rail and then joined them together with crimp connectors or such causing problems later down the line. That was the cause of problems I had with my rear lights and once soldered and heat shrink(ed) it all worked as it should. Might be worth a look if everything else suggested here checks out?

I took the brake light switch out and it doesn't work at all. Even took it to bits and nothing seems to be amiss. yet it just doesn't want to work. Oh well, pop and get one in the morning. thanks all

Assuming you have identified the switch correctly just short the two wires that go to the switch together (effectively bypassing the switch), turn ignition on, if brake lights work then you have proved the vehicle wiring so suspect switch. if they don't then the switch is probably ok and the fault is either no power or a broken wire.

Kwakerman said:

Assuming you have identified the switch correctly just short the two wires that go to the switch together (effectively bypassing the switch), turn ignition on, if brake lights work then you have proved the vehicle wiring so suspect switch. if they don't then the switch is probably ok and the fault is either no power or a broken wire.

Click to expand...

I shall double check in the morning. the method you have suggested is so obvious it never even occurred to me. lol.

I took the switch out and wired it into one of the rear sidelights, switched them on and the swith wouldn't bring it on.