Please Help, Back Light

[pugpaul 1]

In need of some help here as been flashed a few times from other drivers!

 

I bought a 306 Diesel for work. The nearside brake light does not work, but when I put the lights on the nearside brake light stays on aswell as normal back light.

 

Any ideas what could be wrong or any tests I can do to find out whats going on?

 

Any help would be great.

[one-lady-owner 1]

Almost sounds like the filament from the brake side of the bulb (am I right in thinking these use the 2 filament bulb type???) has broken and is now touching the tail filament, my 106 did the same thing

 

 

Either that or I have seen earthing faults create some really weird results!

Edited January 14, 2010 by one-lady-owner

[Anthony 1,003]

I assume you've tried another bulb?

 

If it's a dual filment 21/5W bulb, be careful to fit it the correct way around - in theory the pins are offset to prevent you getting it the wrong way around, but with enough force you can put them in the wrong way and that will make the brake light come on with the taillight.

 

Earth faults normally cause other bulbs (indicator etc) to come on dimly when you light up a given bulb (say the brake light) rather than causing a single bulb to come on brightly when it shouldn't do.

[pugpaul 1]

Thanks guys

 

Ok..... I have changed all bulbs and Anthony you are correct, the brake and rear light bulbs are 21/5's. They go in with ease so im 95% sure that part is ok. Anyway....all new bulbs fitted and connectors in housing cleaned....... Still got the same problem

 

How can I find out if it is an earth problem, any tests I can do?

[Tom Fenton 1,548]

Sounds like a bad earth, if the bulb is OK then you'll need to get something into the bulb holder and give it all a really good clean up. Then try again. I'm sure if I remember right that 306's aren't great for earths off the rear clusters, I'm sure back when I had one for a while I soldered in an extra earth and made it off somewhere else with a ring terminal.

[pugpaul 1]

I think I will make my own earth......But how!! Im thinking that the big thick yellow wires going into the loom are the earth's, there are 3 of them. If I splice these then take this feed to a good earthing point then it should work......or sould it??

 

Or does this sound a good idea. Getting a good earthing point then attaching a decent bit of wire to the earthing point then pushing that wire down into the hole of the plug which houses the earthing point as this will surely earth it?

 

Any help would be great as I know a very small amount about electrics so dont want to blow anything up!

[mr_exe 1]

A friend had an earthing problem with is 306 and a new earth made with a bit of thicker cable fastened to the vehicle body did the trick