Pressing my brake makes all my interior lights come on!

[CrippsCorner]

Hi I've posted about SERV + ESP + ABS before, but now I'm getting something slightly different. Firstly, the ABS is not coming on for this fault... what happens is when I press my brake pedal, all my internal lights come on! (haven't had a chance to check if they're also coming on outside yet) and to get the SERV + ESP to come on, this happens when I press the brake down, when the lights are already on (at night) is this once again a problem with the brake sensor switch or whatever it's called under the brake pedal?

 

[MartinR]

Check your brake fluid levels too

 

[CrippsCorner]

Wouldn't be that, car had a full service just a couple of weeks ago where the fluids were all replaced.

 

[Adam.]

Check your brake fluid level.

 

[MartinR]

Wouldn't be that, car had a full service just a couple of weeks ago where the fluids were all replaced.

Still check the fluid level

 

[The Fatty]

its a very slim in not no chance that its going to be the brake fluid level if ALL his interior lights are coming on..! I would say thats an electrical fault somewhere...

 

[Renault Wolverhampton]

have you changed any bulbs lately?

 

[CrippsCorner]

its a very slim in not no chance that its going to be the brake fluid level if ALL his interior lights are coming on..! I would say thats an electrical fault somewhere...

Yes just to clarify I mean every interior light including heating controls etc. not any warning lights on my dash.

have you changed any bulbs lately?

When the service was done I got them to chuck in a new bulb in my rear light as it was out... but been driving around fine until today! :S

 

[CrippsCorner]

Okay thought I'd try a 'reset' on the old brake switch just in case... and jeez it's made it worse! Now my brake lights are on constantly, regardless whether my beams are turned on or off :dapprove:

 

[Owen92]

If the interior lights come on as you hit the brakes it sounds like there is a short circuit between the brake light wiring and the interior lighting

 

[ditz]

I reckon you've got a single filament bulb in a twin filament socket in your rear lights, have a look

 

[Renault Wolverhampton]

exactly^

 

[Dan519]

I reckon you've got a single filament bulb in a twin filament socket in your rear lights, have a look

that, or the filament has broken and shorted from the brake circuit over to the tail light circuit, and it's back feeding. Used to get it on 200sx's, and the pop-up lights would operate as you braked. Air brakes

 

[ditz]

that, or the filament has broken and shorted from the brake circuit over to the tail light circuit, and it's back feeding. Used to get it on 200sx's, and the pop-up lights would operate as you braked. Air brakes

Thats an interesting little setup lol..
Forgot to mention that possibility actually, good shout

 

[Sam@NP]

I cant offer any more advise then already stated but christ it must be funny to watch you drive about lighting yourself up!

 

[CrippsCorner]

Okay so... took every single rear bulb out, checked, they were all good. Put them back and strangely enough my 'constant' brake lights problem has now gone, but the interior ones coming on is still there.

Got a new brake switch today, installed and it hasn't done anything. So I need further suggestions!? Where would I start looking for a short?

 

[MicKPM]

Firstly I'd learn to use a multi-meter properly as believe it or not most people don't know how to use the basics a DMM comes with. Then I'd be looking for back feeding earth's, shorts to gnd/+ and then make sure all the fuses are intact and are at the correct rating for the circuit.

Not wanting to scare you as I think you've got a back feeding earth's on one of the common points but all these functions are UCH controlled and it is possible that your problem is a result of an internal fault but rule out the simple things first before delving into the serious business. If you know anyone with a working UCH you can try it without risk of damage just by plugging it in. Obviously you won't be able to start the car as the security checksum will fail but every other system will function; lights, signals, etc.

Mick

 

[Struggler]

next thing i would try personally, would be to unplug both the light clusters and test, if it stops then it implies theres a short in the light cluster plug, narrow it down to which one and replace.

i say this because there is a very common problem with the clios that the rear light cluster corrodes and shorts out all the other wiring. Though this usually only results in the fog dash light illuminating, but it might have done something else in your case.

I'm sorry but i did chuckle slightly at the thought of you driving around lighting the car up every time to stepped on the brake. Take the bulb out of the interior light maybe??

 

[CrippsCorner]

Okay... basically it's the new bulb the bloody garage put in. Took it out and problem went, tried both sides just to make sure.

But the bulb is exactly the same as the one that is working, dual filament and same wattage and voltage. Any ideas why it may not be working? I shall have to pop to Halfords tomorrow.

 

[Owen92]

Okay... basically it's the new bulb the bloody garage put in. Took it out and problem went, tried both sides just to make sure.

But the bulb is exactly the same as the one that is working, dual filament and same wattage and voltage. Any ideas why it may not be working? I shall have to pop to Halfords tomorrow.

different bulbs have different fittings and connections on the bottom

 

[ditz]

Okay... basically it's the new bulb the bloody garage put in. Took it out and problem went, tried both sides just to make sure.

But the bulb is exactly the same as the one that is working, dual filament and same wattage and voltage. Any ideas why it may not be working? I shall have to pop to Halfords tomorrow.

Danny already answered this sometimes the bulbs two filaments short together and back feed each other

 

[CrippsCorner]

Weird it happened on a brand new one though... oh well, sorted now!

 

[James28]

Glad it wasn't as major as it first sounded!

 

[sleekitwan]

GUARANTEED FIX - POSTED ELSEWHERE FOR PEOPLE TOO - NO COST NO PROBS. FINE NOSED PLIERS, PULL THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR BLOCK OUT OF THE REAR LIGHT CLUSTER, TWIST THE PRONG(S) IT's THE EARTH ONE IN PARTICULAR. The earth one is the COMMON one to all the bulbs, it has the only metal track that runs to all bulb locations in the cluster, from memory it is the third one down but if in doubt, do them all. It is just a few degrees you reach in and GRIP THE PRONG HEAD-ON AND TWIST THE GALVANISED STEEL PRONG. Refit, DONE! FREE!