Hello everyone! I'm after a bit of help with this one. I'm not very literate about cars but always liked to know how things work and try to fix anything myself.

I've reversed yesterday into a fence, nothing mayor, but one of the rear lights cluster has now a little crack. All bulbs seems to be fine. Next time I used the car after the "accident" I noticed the glow plug light flashing continuously as soon as the key goes in, and the brake lights are not working except for the high level one.

I've done a little research and I think this could be a fault of the brake light switch on the pedal. Don't know if that could be cause by the "accident"?

The thing is I'm pretty skint at the moment, so if it's something I could repair myself it would be really great.

Any help it's really appreciated

Thanks, 

 

Ernie.

If any brake lights are working it cannot be the switch, check the bulbs. 

High level brake light works, the other two doesn't. Bulbs are ok.

@Ernesito - No; if the problem was the pedal switch you'd lose all 3 brake lights for sure.

Ok, not the switch. What else could it be to lose both side brake lights at the same time, when the bulbs are all ok?

 

 

What has changed ?

 

You have damaged the a rear light cluster - I'd start there either replacing or thoroughly checking for damage eg short of some sort, earthing issues etc...

Thanks bigjohn!

 

I'll have a look at cables and that. I didn't want to go any further without asking first just in case it was something simple, as I don't have much experience with mechanics ...

 

Might be worth "Tapping" the offending light to see if it comes on again. Get a brolly handle or similar to press the brake pedal down and go round and step the light a few times. Even remove it and wiggle the wiring if need be. You say bulbs are ok, is that by testing them out elsewhere or by visual inspection? If visual, Don't rely on that!

Thanks mrgf! As you said on a visual inspection the bulbs seemed to be absolutely fine, but they were not! I checked wiring and connectors as far as I could but they seemed to be ok too, so I started testing all the bulbs on a holder that I knew it was working and it turned out that the bulbs were the fault. All works now, just another fault regarding the electric windows not working but I'll open another post for that when I manage to find some time to play with it.

Thank you very much to all that have suggested a fix to my faulty brake lights 

 

A pleasure to help... Bulbs CAN be deceptive little buggers! As for the window problem, Obviously fuses blow but you may or may not know that the wiring loom inside the door rubber bellows, is very prone to fracturing. This can cause problems with windows and also mirrors. Close up check of all the little wires to see if they are snapping or have actually snapped.