Discussion:
Brake Light Failure
(too old to reply)
Alex
2004-09-19 04:44:47 UTC
Permalink
G'day All,

I've just noticed a problem with the rear brake light on the passenger side
of my VT II Commodore Executive sedan. It only works when the headlights are
on, but completely fails to respond to the brake pedal. The other rear brake
light is fine. Obviously, the light bulb itself is working, so is this
something to do with a fuse? Perhaps electrical wiring? Can I fix it on my
own? If not, anyone know how much it'll cost to fix? All suggestions and
feedback are much appreciated.

Cheers!
Alex
What The
2004-09-19 04:52:41 UTC
Permalink
The brake lights in the Commodore are DUAL FILAMENT, which means that on parking
lights, it uses a 5W? filament, on brake lights it uses a separate 21W filament.
you'll need to replace the globe. if replcing the globe (or swapping it with the
"known good" side doesn't work, you ahve a wiring issue.
Post by Alex
G'day All,
I've just noticed a problem with the rear brake light on the passenger side of my
VT II Commodore Executive sedan. It only works when the headlights are on, but
completely fails to respond to the brake pedal. The other rear brake light is fine.
Obviously, the light bulb itself is working, so is this something to do with a
fuse? Perhaps electrical wiring? Can I fix it on my own? If not, anyone know how
much it'll cost to fix? All suggestions and feedback are much appreciated.
Cheers!
Alex
James Collins
2004-09-19 04:50:15 UTC
Permalink
The fault can still be the bulb. Most brake lights combine 2 bulbs in one
(cant think of the tech term here). One light duller than the other.

You can confirm this by putting the driver side bulb in the passenger side
and testing the light.

Also a note when replacing the bulb, make sure you get the bulb in the right
way, (thou they are made so they go in one way, with a little force, it will
go in the other way) else your rear park light will be brighter then your
brake light.
Post by Alex
G'day All,
I've just noticed a problem with the rear brake light on the passenger side
of my VT II Commodore Executive sedan. It only works when the headlights are
on, but completely fails to respond to the brake pedal. The other rear brake
light is fine. Obviously, the light bulb itself is working, so is this
something to do with a fuse? Perhaps electrical wiring? Can I fix it on my
own? If not, anyone know how much it'll cost to fix? All suggestions and
feedback are much appreciated.
Cheers!
Alex
--
James Collins
Technical Officer
Cairns School of Distance Education

Ph. 07 4050 8203
Fx. 07 4051 0336
Mob. 0402 866 972
DalienX
2004-09-19 04:54:39 UTC
Permalink
Post by Alex
G'day All,
I've just noticed a problem with the rear brake light on the
passenger side of my VT II Commodore Executive sedan. It only works
when the headlights are on, but completely fails to respond to the
brake pedal. The other rear brake light is fine. Obviously, the light
bulb itself is working, so is this something to do with a fuse?
Perhaps electrical wiring? Can I fix it on my own? If not, anyone
know how much it'll cost to fix? All suggestions and feedback are
much appreciated.
Cheers!
Alex
Check the fuses, if you don't know they are behind the panel just under
the steering column
--
DalienX
Clockmeister
2004-09-19 07:24:54 UTC
Permalink
Post by DalienX
Post by Alex
G'day All,
I've just noticed a problem with the rear brake light on the
passenger side of my VT II Commodore Executive sedan. It only works
when the headlights are on, but completely fails to respond to the
brake pedal. The other rear brake light is fine. Obviously, the light
bulb itself is working, so is this something to do with a fuse?
Perhaps electrical wiring? Can I fix it on my own? If not, anyone
know how much it'll cost to fix? All suggestions and feedback are
much appreciated.
Cheers!
Alex
Check the fuses, if you don't know they are behind the panel just under
the steering column
That isn't the problem if the other side works though.
The Interceptor
2004-09-19 06:24:47 UTC
Permalink
The car needs a complete re-wire, which is not surprising given it's age.
Bring it to me and I'll fix it for $99.99. Any other like minded Commodore
drivers can contact me also.

Brett
Post by Alex
G'day All,
I've just noticed a problem with the rear brake light on the passenger side
of my VT II Commodore Executive sedan. It only works when the headlights are
on, but completely fails to respond to the brake pedal. The other rear brake
light is fine. Obviously, the light bulb itself is working, so is this
something to do with a fuse? Perhaps electrical wiring? Can I fix it on my
own? If not, anyone know how much it'll cost to fix? All suggestions and
feedback are much appreciated.
Cheers!
Alex
Knobdoodle
2004-09-19 07:54:12 UTC
Permalink
Must be an "earth" problem 'eh Michael?
--
Knob

(It's just the bulb Alex)
Post by Alex
G'day All,
I've just noticed a problem with the rear brake light on the passenger
side of my VT II Commodore Executive sedan. It only works when the
headlights are on, but completely fails to respond to the brake pedal.
The other rear brake light is fine. Obviously, the light bulb itself is
working, so is this something to do with a fuse? Perhaps electrical
wiring? Can I fix it on my own? If not, anyone know how much it'll cost
to fix? All suggestions and feedback are much appreciated.
Cheers!
Alex
Clockmeister
2004-09-19 07:24:09 UTC
Permalink
Post by Alex
G'day All,
I've just noticed a problem with the rear brake light on the passenger side
of my VT II Commodore Executive sedan. It only works when the headlights are
on, but completely fails to respond to the brake pedal. The other rear brake
light is fine. Obviously, the light bulb itself is working, so is this
something to do with a fuse? Perhaps electrical wiring? Can I fix it on my
own? If not, anyone know how much it'll cost to fix? All suggestions and
feedback are much appreciated.
It's very likely to be a bulb socket problem, possibly corrosion related.
You can buy a tail light harnass as a replacement part and change it
yourself in not time.

Regards,

Clockmeister.
D Walford
2004-09-19 08:02:59 UTC
Permalink
Post by Alex
G'day All,
I've just noticed a problem with the rear brake light on the passenger side
of my VT II Commodore Executive sedan. It only works when the headlights are
on, but completely fails to respond to the brake pedal. The other rear brake
light is fine. Obviously, the light bulb itself is working, so is this
something to do with a fuse? Perhaps electrical wiring? Can I fix it on my
own? If not, anyone know how much it'll cost to fix? All suggestions and
feedback are much appreciated.
Most likely a faulty globe.
Remove and inspect the globe, I'd bet you will find the brake filament
has broken at one end and dropped onto the tail lamp filament making it
light up when you turn on the lights.


Daryl
Bushy
2004-09-19 11:34:56 UTC
Permalink
The earth connection on one side (probably the left) and this will cause the
light to come on with the taillight and also cause it to not work with the
brake pedal switch.

It could be corrosion in the socket or the connector near it.

It is a common problem with many cars. It can also cause other silly
symptoms with the tail and park lights.
Hope this helps,
Peter
The Interceptor
2004-09-19 12:52:35 UTC
Permalink
Could it also be the fact that the brake light filament in the globe is u/s,
while the tail light filament is ok?

I don't think too many people here have heard of Occam's Razor.

Brett
Post by Bushy
The earth connection on one side (probably the left) and this will cause the
light to come on with the taillight and also cause it to not work with the
brake pedal switch.
It could be corrosion in the socket or the connector near it.
It is a common problem with many cars. It can also cause other silly
symptoms with the tail and park lights.
Hope this helps,
Peter
abacus
2004-09-19 17:35:17 UTC
Permalink
Post by The Interceptor
Could it also be the fact that the brake light filament in the globe is u/s,
while the tail light filament is ok?
I don't think too many people here have heard of Occam's Razor.
Brett
I see you prefer the Latinized spelling of Ockham.
The Interceptor
2004-09-20 14:07:55 UTC
Permalink
Post by abacus
Post by The Interceptor
Could it also be the fact that the brake light filament in the globe is u/s,
while the tail light filament is ok?
I don't think too many people here have heard of Occam's Razor.
Brett
I see you prefer the Latinized spelling of Ockham.
I couldn't remember the spelling to be honest, and Occam was the first pick
from a Google. But, let's be fair, that wasn't really the point was it?

Brett
abacus
2004-09-20 13:57:23 UTC
Permalink
Post by The Interceptor
Post by abacus
Post by The Interceptor
Could it also be the fact that the brake light filament in the globe is u/s,
while the tail light filament is ok?
I don't think too many people here have heard of Occam's Razor.
Brett
I see you prefer the Latinized spelling of Ockham.
I couldn't remember the spelling to be honest, and Occam was the first pick
from a Google. But, let's be fair, that wasn't really the point was it?
Brett
Point? There has to be a point?

abacus

(I must be tired. I could have sworn you wrote "Occam was the first
prick...." at first glance).

Alex
2004-09-20 00:56:54 UTC
Permalink
G'day Again!

Many thanks for all the informative posts. Turned out to be nothing more
than the globe. "What The" got it right with his post on VT Commodore's
having dual filament globes. Bought and installed a new one - problem
solved!

Cheers!
Alex
The Interceptor
2004-09-20 14:06:29 UTC
Permalink
Dual filament globes in a VT Commodore! Fancy that, but then again, I've
always been very impressed with the technology in modern Holdens.

This newsgroup is continuing to solve the big problems, well done everyone.

Brett
Post by Alex
G'day Again!
Many thanks for all the informative posts. Turned out to be nothing more
than the globe. "What The" got it right with his post on VT Commodore's
having dual filament globes. Bought and installed a new one - problem
solved!
Cheers!
Alex
abacus
2004-09-20 13:39:30 UTC
Permalink
I managed to diagnose and replace a blown headlight globe in an XG van
recently. Only took two days. Mind you, that was only after a kind policeman
pointed out the fault to me.....
Post by The Interceptor
Dual filament globes in a VT Commodore! Fancy that, but then again, I've
always been very impressed with the technology in modern Holdens.
This newsgroup is continuing to solve the big problems, well done everyone.
Brett
Post by Alex
G'day Again!
Many thanks for all the informative posts. Turned out to be nothing more
than the globe. "What The" got it right with his post on VT Commodore's
having dual filament globes. Bought and installed a new one - problem
solved!
Cheers!
Alex
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