Brake lights not working

[Nasco12]

This morning while stuck in traffic, the AA man behind me very kindly took the time and effort to draw up alongside and tell me that my brake lights weren't working. Oh dear!

But if that's the case, I thought, (and it was, I checked) how come the dash wasn't showing a warning? The external lamp warning light does work (I checked that too).

Could it be the brake light switch? That would explain the brake lights. But does it also explain why the ABS light has been coming on when I depress the brake pedal for the first time after switching on the engine. Or is that an entirely separate issue?

Anyway, all this does raise the possiblity that I've been driving around for some time without working brake lights. Ho hum.

 

[Yamaman]

That probably would explain the situation but try disconnecting the brake pedal switch connector & bridging out the terminals on the connector & see if the brake lights come on , then you know it's a faulty switch !!
Hope that helps

Cheers

Mark

 

[Nasco12]

"Bridging" = connecting the terminals together with a piece of metal to make a circuit, yes?

 

[def90cars]

I think you have the solution to both your issues.

Lamp warning checks bulbs "resistance" so if the bulbs were never powered (i.e. faulty switch) then there is no faulty bulb hence no warning.
ABS only works if the brake pedal is pressed.... so i guess warning you it detected brakes in use but no pedal pressed (which it detects from the switch) even though obviously you are pressing it.

 

[Nasco12]

Replaced the stop light switch and, hey presto, brake lights working.

 

[Nasco12]

And now the cruise control has started to work. Related?

 

[Stratman]

Definitely.