Only one brake light working

[scamperbus]

I've just noticed my left side stop light is not working. They used to both work. I've tested the bulb by putting it on the other side - that's fine. Checked for loose connections at the rear lamp unit - fine as far as I can tell. Rear light and rear left indicator work.

Before I go any further am I right in thinking that if it was a problem near the fuse box end or the master cylinder switch both lights would have stopped working?

My horn still works (I think it's on the same fuse as the stop lights).

Any ideas?? Just trying save some time looking in the wrong place for a fix!!

 

[easy]

Have you tried clean up all the connectors with a bit of high grit paper?(particularly the earth) the earth is the one that is usually the problem where it meets the body etc. Try cleaning em all up and see what happens 8)

 

[Justin & Muttley]

Agree with Easy - just fixed the same problem on the Bug today! The earth was shot and causing all sorts of mayhem - check the earth first, clean up the end of your fuses with emery paper (and the fuse box seats) and then take off the bulb holder and check that the connectors still line up with the bottom of the bulb...

Best of luck

 

[scamperbus]

Thanks for the advice. I'll give it a go.

If it was a dodgy earth, wouldn't that mean the rear light wouldn't work either, one filament in the bulb lights but not the other...

 

[Justin & Muttley]

Thanks for the advice. I'll give it a go.

If it was a dodgy earth, wouldn't that mean the rear light wouldn't work either, one filament in the bulb lights but not the other...

Yes, unless the contact is poor where the base of the bulb sits - I'd check the contact next, clean it up and make sure it meets the contact on the bulb nicely...

 

[creationblue]

An Easy fix is to take a wire from the working side and attach it to the no-workin side, this way you give a live supply.

CB

 

[scamperbus]

Thanks everyone. Now sorted. There was already a wire running from left to right from when my bus was wired up for UK spec. but it was the side that the wire ran to first that was dodgy.

I took the whole unit out, cleaned up the terminals, and earths and voila!

Bulbs are still a bit loose in the holders though!