Land Rover 90 Brake Lights not working (again!)

Hi all,

yet another problem with my 90.
Its a 1985 90 originally non aspirated, but defender 200tdi converted.

im having issues with my brake lights, originally when they were not working i just took the bulbs out and put them back in again and they worked for many months until now, sadly that fix didnt happen twice!

I've recently replaced one of the brakelights housings and it was working perfectly for a good few days.
they are stock and not LED's

the tail lights work fine and the bulbs both seem in good working order.

things ive checked:
bulbs
fuse is good,
ive had the brake switch off and tried it manually and still nothing, did the method of touching the two wires together without using the switch to see if thats at fault and still nothing.
checked all the connections on the brake lights where they connect to the loom and they arent loose

im guessing the issue is going to be from the switch to the lights there is going to be some sort of issue.. any ideas on what and where to check.

i really need to get this sorted as i really dont want to only drive at daytime flicking my side lights on as i brake so other drivers get some sort of notice that im slowing down!

could be an easy fix but just dont have the time to spend a good few hours diagnosing on my own due to college being a pain in the backside at the moment.

thanks in advanced! if you need any photos or anything for reference just let me know.

Do you have a multi meter? And wire dia?

I think you need to start checking for where the volts are and where they are not.

J

I had similar issues that I tracked back to the bulkhead loom, I’m not au fait with the 200tdi wiring, but can’t imagine it’s far from the 300tdi. Either way, there was sufficient contamination to cause a drop in voltage. I re-terminated mine for bath socket and pins after cleaning the housings, and fitted new plug seals too. With a quick look, easy to get to from above and below.

Check/clean the multi plug that is by the footwell a bit before the loom goes into the chassis. I find a that an old bulb holder with a foot of wire and a crocodile clip for earth with a point for positive makes a good tester. A meter will tell you there is power there,a bulb will tell you if there is enough.
1985 is still glass fuses I think,the contacts of which are a known trouble point

cheers for your help so far guys,
i can get hold of a multi meter tomorrow off a friend or maybe even tonight if he ever replies.
tomorrow when its a bit brighter i'll check the loom by the bulkhead and the plug by before the loom goes into the chassis.
1985's do have the glass fuses and i will give the contacts a good clean later on.

will update you on how that goes.

Check you have live at the switch behind the servo and go from there. Fuse box if no live, wiring and /or earth to the lamp if you have. Check off side at the back first.

Hi everyone,

Hopefully I’ve got the cause now, got to a mates place and spent the night checking..
Few dodgy connections, bit of corrosion here and there and a knackered brake switch!

Cheees for all your help! I checked the places you told me to look and fixed other problems, the joys of land rovers!