Dash lights come on when pressing brake pedal

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Rickm

Rickm

New Member
Posts
4
Location
Birmingham
Need help.

Have Freelander V6 auto 2004.

With engine running and applying footbrake to move gear selector from P to D the dashboard lights come on (that's the back lights that normally come on when the side/headlights are on, not the warning lights).

Also when the side/headlights are switched on the high level brake light also comes on, gets slightly brighter when the footbrake is applied.

To add further mystery with the cruise control engaged, when the side/headlights are turned on the cruise control is cancelled.

Anyone got any ideas?
 
Check the filaments in the brake/side light bulbs, one may have broken and dropped onto the other one.
 
Hi Bankz and Longdog

Thanks for your replies.

I do not have any led's and the filaments in the brake/sidelight bulbs are OK.

I have been checking earth points and found nothing yet.

Any more ideas will be appreciated.
 
I had a brake/ tail bulb that was faulty on the fold that grips the filament. Basically the fold wasn't complete. This joined the brake light circuit to the side light circuit. This type of faulty bulb would cause the fault you are having.
Try replacing the brake/ tail bulbs.
 
I had similar strange issues and it turned out to be a broken wire in the loom just after it passed through the bulkhead and the loom had got water in it and then the harness was shorting out causing all kinds of strange issues!

I would suggest checking all electrical features to determine what is not working properly and then check those circuits.

Do you have trailer electrics fitted?

Also where are you?
 
Last edited:
Hi Nodge68 and td4van,

Thanks a lot for your suggestions.

Earlier today I unplugged the three connectors which supply the tailgate. When I pressed the brake pedal the dash backlights still came on.

I will try replacing the stop/sidelight bulbs, although the ones in at the moment are working normally. Cheers for that.

As the high level brake light comes on with the sidelights/headlights I have already checked the wiring loom from the body to the tailgate - all was dry and intact. I will look at the loom that passes from the engine compartment to the interior. Thanks for that.

I do have trailer electrics fitted - I fitted them myself about three years ago and all has been fine. A tailor made loom was supplied which just plugged into the cars loom. I have not used a trailer for about six weeks but I will disconnect it to see if the problems clear.

I am really grateful for the time you guys have given to try and help me out, it is like trying to find the needle in a haystack!!!!!!!
 
It sounds like they are back feeding each other, there will definitely be somewhere that these wires are joining together if it isn't the bulbs then check all the areas the wire could flex or chafe, if the wires are fine near the back lights (which is the most likely area) try under the dash near the fuse box. Put the side lights on and whilst looking at the high level brake light give all the wires a good wiggle if the light goes off or flickers you know you are in the right area. Make sure you have a good earth on your tail lights there's a chance it could be back feeding down the earth.
 
and for the earth add an extra 2 in the back by the lights, as the one on the chassis is pants, extra earths made my lights much brighter (wasn't worth fixing the standard one)
 
Hi guys,

Problem sorted successfully.

I have looked in the areas suggested by you all until I found the problem.

The one stop/tail bulb was working normally when you put the sidelights on and did get brighter when the brakes were applied - so all appeared normal.

When looking closely it looks like a manufacturing fault, the support post for the brakelight filament was shorter on one side and close to the support post for the taillight filament. It looks as though when the brakes were applied the extra current running for the 21w was causing arcing and there has been a gradual build up until the two supports became almost fused together.

Replaced the bulb and all is perfect. Who would have thought a simple thing like a bulb could cause so many problems.

Many, many, thanks to all you guys for taking the time to make suggestions about what could have caused my problems, especially Nodge68 and longdog who pinpointed the bulbs.
 
Rickm said:
Hi guys,

Problem sorted successfully.

I have looked in the areas suggested by you all until I found the problem.

The one stop/tail bulb was working normally when you put the sidelights on and did get brighter when the brakes were applied - so all appeared normal.

When looking closely it looks like a manufacturing fault, the support post for the brakelight filament was shorter on one side and close to the support post for the taillight filament. It looks as though when the brakes were applied the extra current running for the 21w was causing arcing and there has been a gradual build up until the two supports became almost fused together.

Replaced the bulb and all is perfect. Who would have thought a simple thing like a bulb could cause so many problems.

Many, many, thanks to all you guys for taking the time to make suggestions about what could have caused my problems, especially Nodge68 and longdog who pinpointed the bulbs.
Click to expand...

happy days! :) glad u got it sorted
 
Rickm said:
Hi guys,

Problem sorted successfully.

I have looked in the areas suggested by you all until I found the problem.

The one stop/tail bulb was working normally when you put the sidelights on and did get brighter when the brakes were applied - so all appeared normal.

When looking closely it looks like a manufacturing fault, the support post for the brakelight filament was shorter on one side and close to the support post for the taillight filament. It looks as though when the brakes were applied the extra current running for the 21w was causing arcing and there has been a gradual build up until the two supports became almost fused together.

Replaced the bulb and all is perfect. Who would have thought a simple thing like a bulb could cause so many problems.

Many, many, thanks to all you guys for taking the time to make suggestions about what could have caused my problems, especially Nodge68 and longdog who pinpointed the bulbs.
Click to expand...

You're welcome. I've seen this before but apparently it can't happen according to the bulb manufacturer I spoke to!!
 
Rickm said:
Need help.

Have Freelander V6 auto 2004.

With engine running and applying footbrake to move gear selector from P to D the dashboard lights come on (that's the back lights that normally come on when the side/headlights are on, not the warning lights).

Also when the side/headlights are switched on the high level brake light also comes on, gets slightly brighter when the footbrake is applied.

To add further mystery with the cruise control engaged, when the side/headlights are turned on the cruise control is cancelled.

Anyone got any ideas?
Click to expand...
It sounds like either a bad earth to the rear lights or an incorrect brake light build - supplied or fitted. As you press the brake you are powering up the side lights thus illuminating the dash lights. If you get someone to look I feel you will also be illuminating the front side light. Check for a good earth to rear lights and the contacts are corrosion free, if that doesn't help it could be the bulb ( especially if it's been changed to coincide with the issue ) one of these items should resolve your issue. Good luck
 
Lucas, Osram or Ring are better than cheap Chinese offerings.
I have seen a brake light filament fail and bridge between the brake live and side light filament. This would give the symptoms above and could happen to any bulb, but thankfully doesn't happen often.
 
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