Hi there, i have owned for around 8 years, a 2007 Skoda fabia 1.9 and i love it, however, there is one annoying feature, the rear bulbs blow, so do a 5 amp fuse that powers it. Now, when I say blow, I mean it can literally go through 10 bulbs, fuses, then be fine for a while. I am sure they are the right bulbs, so question is, is this common? Is there something i can do to fix it, its literally the same fuse every time. I run a small marketing firm, and there saying change it, change the car it a 2007!, But am i right in saying that actual engine that 1.9 is just brillant, they are telling me, that its dated car etc, but i honestly think thats one the best engines i have had and think if i trade that in, i wont find a better diesel engine, or maybe the newer ones are better? I dont care its 2007 car, other than that brake light issue, and getting pulled by police, beccause brake lights out, that car to me is just brillant, or should i buy something newer?

Hello Ryan, welcome to the forum.

I cannot think of any fault, other than overvoltage - or a loose mounting (more so for a halogen lamp), that would cause a lamp to 'blow' - are these filament type brake lamps you are using?

Are you able to use a meter to check that the voltage regulator is operating correctly?

Thank you for the welcome. Thats what i think it is, a surge of power, the bosch battery perhaps surging. The odd part its the same rear lights, same fuse. The bulbs are filliment, like old style with two internal coil wires. I have tried my best to go far back on wiring loom, yet, i noticed once just closing the rear boot caused the fuse to blow, which makes me think it has be moisture.

If you can, make a close inspection of the wiring loom connecting the rear hatch/trunk lid to the body - a fairly common fault is for the wiring to break where it flexes.

The battery won't be the cause of any power surges - if that is the problem, it would be more likely to be a faulty voltage regulator on the alternator - however, on reflection, a faulty battery could allow more DC electrical ripple (noise) into the vehicles system, although this shouldn't really affect standard filament lamps.

Edited 2 October, 20252 Oct by Warrior193
added information

1 minute ago, Warrior193 said:

If you can, make a close inspection of the wiring loom connecting the rear hatch/trunk lid to the body - a fairly common fault is for the wiring to break where it flexes.

The battery won't be the cause of any power surges - if that is the problem, it would be more likely to be a faulty voltage regulator on the alternator.

I had literally just finished typing a similar note and was going to post it - but someone beat me to it! :)

Thank you for your help, i think thats where it is, a rubber connector on the boot, where the wires feed in, the engine has been bullet proof, the whole car leaks, this is something i need to address as i think moisture ingress is the issue, as its too good to trade in or scrap, thank you for your help

thank you Warrior 193 for your help

On 02/10/2025 at 18:35, RyanWalsh said:

Hi there, i have owned for around 8 years, a 2007 Skoda fabia 1.9 and i love it, however, there is one annoying feature, the rear bulbs blow, so do a 5 amp fuse that powers it. Now, when I say blow, I mean it can literally go through 10 bulbs, fuses, then be fine for a while. I am sure they are the right bulbs, so question is, is this common? Is there something i can do to fix it, its literally the same fuse every time.

Is one side bulb more likely to blow than the other? If so, then start by stretching the retaining spring on that side slightly (or bending the contactor, depending on type). I've seen this base problem on various makes, just never on a Skoda.