Taillight/Brake Light Issue Mk1 Focus
12-01-2019, 07:57 PM
#1
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Taillight/Brake Light Issue Mk1 Focus
54 plate mk1 Focus. Built 03.
Electrical gremlin. Taillights work fine both sides. When brake pedal depressed the right side goes out completely - no brake light/taillight.
Have checked and changed bulbs, holders are fine. No loose wires at holders. No corrosion. Checked fuses - no issue. Restripped and crimped the joint earth In the boot. No change. Can’t see any damage to wires at top of boot lid.
Next I will change brake light switch (but it does switch the lights on (left/centre).
Any advice from anyone about what else it could potentially be?
I have a knackered abs sensor LR. Could that be potentially causing the issue?
Thanks.
Electrical gremlin. Taillights work fine both sides. When brake pedal depressed the right side goes out completely - no brake light/taillight.
Have checked and changed bulbs, holders are fine. No loose wires at holders. No corrosion. Checked fuses - no issue. Restripped and crimped the joint earth In the boot. No change. Can’t see any damage to wires at top of boot lid.
Next I will change brake light switch (but it does switch the lights on (left/centre).
Any advice from anyone about what else it could potentially be?
I have a knackered abs sensor LR. Could that be potentially causing the issue?
Thanks.
12-01-2019, 08:25 PM
#2
PassionFord Post Whore!!
Assuming your certain the body earth for the Right lamp unit is good then you have no earth AT the RIGHT REAR LAMP UNIT Stop / Tail Lampholder.
It may just be the connector onto the light unit or the lampholder.
The Right Tail lamp is using the Left Stop / Tail lamp earth, untill you put the brake lamps on, then it looses it.
You should notice the Right tail lamp is dimmer than the left until the brake lamp tries to light up.
It may just be the connector onto the light unit or the lampholder.
The Right Tail lamp is using the Left Stop / Tail lamp earth, untill you put the brake lamps on, then it looses it.
You should notice the Right tail lamp is dimmer than the left until the brake lamp tries to light up.
Last edited by focusv8; 12-01-2019 at 08:27 PM.
12-01-2019, 10:25 PM
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Do the stop and tail lamps have different gnds? I restripped and crimped the one on the rear lip of the boot under the carpet. I also checked the one near the rear wiper motor (tail lamps?). Looks good as new.
The connectors/pins at the light ‘look’ fine as far as I can tell. No corrosion. No crusty pins. No loose wires. Could there be damage I’m not seeing?
Cheers.
13-01-2019, 07:53 AM
#4
It does almost definitely sound.like an earthing issue. Are they permanently live through the side of the bulb then switched earth through the pins or switched live through the pins? If it's permanently earth through the side, tie a piece of wire around the bulb before inserting into the holder, then earth that.
The holders are known to give trouble, although they seem ok I would replace just to rule them out.
The holders are known to give trouble, although they seem ok I would replace just to rule them out.
Last edited by RichieST; 13-01-2019 at 07:56 AM.
14-01-2019, 05:44 AM
#5
I've found that life I needed.. It's HERE!!
Replace the bulb holders. Had exactly the same issue on my son's Focus. The holders must have some odd wiring in them that breaks down and causes this.
New holders cured it instantly
New holders cured it instantly
17-01-2019, 04:21 PM
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Thanks for all the help.
Changed out the lamp holder and it fixed the problem immediately. Did the same with rear fog which was also knacked. Fixed that too.
Also had a side and a headlight out! All bulbs (except left no. plate light) replaced!
Changed out the lamp holder and it fixed the problem immediately. Did the same with rear fog which was also knacked. Fixed that too.
Also had a side and a headlight out! All bulbs (except left no. plate light) replaced!
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