Brake lights !

[DEAN0]

Right its my turn to ask for help, I've just discovered that the high level brake light on my wife's Polo 9N has stopped working - low level brake lights still work okay. Any pointers before I start ripping the tailgate covers off? Ta! (thumping it made no difference!!)

As these lights are multi led - they would never all fail at once - So I would say its a broken wire rather than a faulty light.

My first place to look would be inside the rubber sleeve between the body and the tailgate to check for broken wires.

 

[RUM4MO]

As these lights are multi led - they would never all fail at once - So I would say its a broken wire rather than a faulty light.

My first place to look would be inside the rubber sleeve between the body and the tailgate to check for broken wires.

I'd reckon that you should be right there, I've had to do that with a couple of Fords in the past - though time and VAG excellance might have removed any problems there.

Though I might disagree with your logic over the multi LED strips as I'd reckon that they would end up being connected either in series or in groups(idealy) - so if in series then if one goes the light will not come on - I hope that I'm wrong there though!

I was just being a bit lazy as I only discovered this problem minutes before posting, in the hope that there was a known trend.

Thanks though, I will need to sort this out quickly.

 

[DEAN0]

I'd reckon that you should be right there, I've had to do that with a couple of Fords in the past - though time and VAG excellance might have removed any problems there.

Though I might disagree with your logic over the multi LED strips as I'd reckon that they would end up being connected either in series or in groups(idealy) - so if in series then if one goes the light will not come on - I hope that I'm wrong there though!

I was just being a bit lazy as I only discovered this problem minutes before posting, in the hope that there was a known trend.

Thanks though, I will need to sort this out quickly.

My only evidence that they are not in series is the fact that I have seen some ibiza's with one or two led's out in the light and the rest working.

It might be worth having someone press on the brake pedal - then move the tailgate up and down to see if the light flickers !!

Good luck with the fault finding.

 

[RUM4MO]

Okay, the facts are as follows, in true VAG style the weather seal around the Polo 9N high level brake light is minimal at best, so over time, a slight water leak has developed and as luck would have it this leak is at the power connector end - so the end of the bus bars have turned to rust, one prong has disolved inside the connector and the other was close to doing same thing. So, I'll need to get a new light cluster ordered in as well as a new connector shell - I intend to crush the old connector and in doing so will sacrifice the connector shell but save the connector socket pins for clearing of broken pin and general rust stuff!

One other thing, the Polo 9N at least, still uses bulbs - very small 15-off wedge bulbs??!!

Oh blooming joy! I might even treat it to two new trim panels as one of the rear shelf strap hanger broke off "in the wind" and the lower one shows its battle scars where it and I have done battle a few times in the past (new rear handle - another one now needed + a wiper/washer overhaul kit).

One final thing, if anyone feels the need to save themselves some of this problem with their Ibiza, maybe get in there - clean up the spongy seal area and beef it up or replace it with something that will do the job - as usual don't use silicon sealer (RTV) but use some exterior grade putty stuff - maybe rhone pipe or guttering sealer as suggested for use on the doors problems. I'll certainly be adding something better in when I fit the new light assembly.

 

[DEAN0]

One final thing, if anyone feels the need to save themselves some of this problem with their Ibiza, maybe get in there - clean up the spongy seal area and beef it up or replace it with something that will do the job - as usual don't use silicon sealer (RTV) but use some exterior grade putty stuff - maybe rhone pipe or guttering sealer as suggested for use on the doors problems. I'll certainly be adding something better in when I fit the new light assembly.

I used the same as i use on the motorbike - ACF50 anti corrosion spray for electrics.

Very good stuff that leaves an anti corrosion film on electrics.

 

[s4oopie]

im going to add alittle here .... just failed on no brake lights not even the middle light ... cars a 52 reg leon cupra the stop and tail lamps were changed a few months ago and they were working when changed i take it after checking the fuses and swapping many around that oits going to bve the switch where is the switch located ? is it easy to get to if so ill fly up to seat and get one sorted what other cars have the same switch ?? thanks in advance s4oop

 

[Blanco92]

im going to add alittle here .... just failed on no brake lights not even the middle light ... cars a 52 reg leon cupra the stop and tail lamps were changed a few months ago and they were working when changed i take it after checking the fuses and swapping many around that oits going to bve the switch where is the switch located ? is it easy to get to if so ill fly up to seat and get one sorted what other cars have the same switch ?? thanks in advance s4oop

The switch should be on the back of the brake pedal mate, I can't imagine it varies too much between Leons and Ibizas.

Should cost less than a tenner from the dealer.