Rear Right Brake Light Out - Short?

[wackojackouk]

Hi chaps

Having a weird issue with my 53 plate tdi.

Got the bulb warning on the dash and checked and Basically the right brake light isn't working.

Checked the fuses and all seem ok. It righted itself about two hours later but has come back again.

All lights inc indicators at the back are fine apart from the brake one.

I even changed the bulb holders over to the wrong side to test them and then noticed that the indicator light illuminated on the right side. If I press the brake pedal it works on this bulb holder but once depressed the indicator comes on.

Does this sound like a short somewhere?

Help ... :-(

Ta

WJUK

[Chrispb]

You didn't say that you have replaced the stop/tail bulb only swapped over the holders? not sure if they are wired the same but are certainly different part numbers so may not work correctly.
The same fuse covers all stop lights

[wackojackouk]

Hi Chris

Sorry I was using my phone earlier and limited space.

Basically this problem arose about a month ago. I changed the bulb but got the same problem (the drivers rear brake light doesn't illuminate).

I spent about an hour going through 99% of the fuses (manual and graphic in tray are completely different) and it still wouldn't work. About 3 miles down the road all of a sudden it went off and has been fine up until today.

I haven't checked the fuses today (can you tell me which ones I should double check tomorrow) but thought as I knew the bulb was okay before I'd swap over the bulb holders and like I said when I put the passenger side one on the drivers side, one bulb worked and the indicator one glowed. I then tried the brake and it lit up correctly and the indicator worked with the indicator on) - however once I depressed it the indicator light glowed.

Anyway I drove home and it's still there so I thought VCDS Lite... I reinstalled it on this laptop and it has throw up some errors... can these shed any light and any idea's how to fix as I think it's shorting somewhere...

00988 -  Lamp for Brake Light; Right (M10)

        30-10 -  Open or Short to Plus - Intermittent

00985 -  Right Tail Light (M2)

        30-10 -  Open or Short to Plus - Intermittent

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

I cleared the codes and this one came back........


VCDS-Lite Version: Release 1.2

Control Module Part Number: 7M3 962 258 AD

  Component and/or Version:    Multifunkt.Einh  0001

           Software Coding: 04097

            Work Shop Code: WSC 00020

                      VCID: 7C8B77F37FF3

1 Fault Found:

00988 -  Lamp for Brake Light; Right (M10)

        30-00 -  Open or Short to Plus

---------------------------------------------------------------------------


Thanks for your help as usual Chris....

[Chrispb]

So VCDS is saying you had a tail light and a stop light fault? are you sure you have the correct bulbs fitted?

You should have two tail light bulbs each side and one stop light each side

One bulb is a double filiment double contact with offset pins, it should only plug in one way this is your stop light and one of your tail lights, the common number for this bulb is 380.

The smaller bulb number 207 is the second tail light bulb and  has a single filiment and single contact and level pins so fits in either way round.


Stop light fuse is 15
R/H Side/Tail fuse is 56
L/H Side/Tail fuse is 57

[Chrispb]

Just had a look at my old MK2 and can confirm although you can plug the bulb holder in either side the wires are in a different position in the plug.

[wackojackouk]

Hi Chris

You're a star mate.... I didn't think of the simple idea that it could be the bulb as it worked as a side light...

Took the bulb out today and the smaller filament had blown.

Went to GSF got two bulbs (one spare) for about Ã,£1.20 and swapped it over. Turned car on, pressed brake pedal... bulb warning gone out

Cheers again

WJUK