another brake light question

[nineball]

i have read about 20 threads so far but none of them seem to really address my particular problem, so here is another one. the car in question is an 83SC.

a week ago a friend told me that only one of my brake lights were working, so i decided to refresh all the bulbs both front and rear to sleep better at night. did this and still only one brake light works, the passenger side. the driver side light is constantly on. all of the threads i read mentioned that both lights were wired together, so how only one is working i am not sure. the passenger side works normally and comes on with minimal pressure/movement of the brake pedal but the driver side never changes. does this sound like a brake light switch problem?

[86 911 Targa]

Originally Posted by nineball

i have read about 20 threads so far but none of them seem to really address my particular problem, so here is another one. the car in question is an 83SC.

a week ago a friend told me that only one of my brake lights were working, so i decided to refresh all the bulbs both front and rear to sleep better at night. did this and still only one brake light works, the passenger side. the driver side light is constantly on. all of the threads i read mentioned that both lights were wired together, so how only one is working i am not sure. the passenger side works normally and comes on with minimal pressure/movement of the brake pedal but the driver side never changes. does this sound like a brake light switch problem?

I don't think you have a brake light switch problem.

Also, you don't indicate if the driver's side is always on with the ignition/light switch turned off.

However:

"Assuming" that you installed the correct type (dual filament) bulb(s), I had a very similiar issue many years ago, but do not remember if it was the driver's or passenger side lights.

I replaced the diode as per this factory manual and resolved the issue.

Good Luck,

Gerr

[86 911 Targa]

Originally Posted by 86 911 Targa

I don't think you have a brake light switch problem.

Also, you don't indicate if the driver's side is always on with the ignition/light switch turned off.

However:

"Assuming" that you installed the correct type (dual filament) bulb(s), I had a very similiar issue many years ago, but do not remember if it was the driver's or passenger side lights.

I replaced the diode as per this factory manual and resolved the issue.

Good Luck,

Gerr

[nineball]

yes the correct dual filament bulb was used (7xxx series not the 1157). the light is constantly on when the car is on and the lights are on. if either is not then the light is not on.

just out of curiosity, could this be somehow related to the ash tray light? a week or two ago the shielding on mine finally gave out and it grounded, causing the cabin to fill with more smoke than i have ever seen in a car in my life. i traced and removed the positive line for the ash tray light as i really have no need for it.

thanks for the wiring diagram but it is lost on me.

[86 911 Targa]

Originally Posted by nineball

yes the correct dual filament bulb was used (7xxx series not the 1157). the light is constantly on when the car is on and the lights are on. if either is not then the light is not on.

just out of curiosity, could this be somehow related to the ash tray light? a week or two ago the shielding on mine finally gave out and it grounded, causing the cabin to fill with more smoke than i have ever seen in a car in my life. i traced and removed the positive line for the ash tray light as i really have no need for it.

thanks for the wiring diagram but it is lost on me.

Well, now that's a big hint.....

Assuming this anomaly surfaced after your "smoky dash",

Look under your dash (knee pad) between the steering column and the ventilation controls & radio.

There should be a flat plastic connector which holds a diode.

You can replace the diode with an euivalent from an electronic shop.

Good luck,

Gerry

[nineball]

thanks for the tip, i will try that. i can't say for sure if it was happening before the smoke invasion or not. am i safe in assuming that radio shack would have the necessary diode? if not are there any specs or numbers that i should be searching for as a replacement? lastly, and i know this is a longshot, but by any chance do you have a pic of this plastic connector?

[86 911 Targa]

Originally Posted by nineball

thanks for the tip, i will try that. i can't say for sure if it was happening before the smoke invasion or not. am i safe in assuming that radio shack would have the necessary diode? if not are there any specs or numbers that i should be searching for as a replacement? lastly, and i know this is a longshot, but by any chance do you have a pic of this plastic connector?

Tell the Radio Shack guys where and how the diode is being used.

Or: The Porsche part # is on the schematic.

50V 1 Amp should do it.

You can also connect two diodes in parallel to increase the current capacity.

If you lookk under the knee pad, you should be able to see the diode holder.

Look for a green/red wire as per the schematic I sent you.

One side of the diode goes to the light switch.

I'm not positive that this a fix for you, but it's a good candidate.

Gerry

[porschenut]

So, did you get this resolved? I have a similar issue right now - my driver's side brake light doesn't work, just the parking light. I'd like to know what the resolution was for your problem.

[nineball]

my bulb was in reversed.

[porschenut]

Thanks. My problem was similar, as it turns out. The bulb had partially unseated itself in the socket.

[midnight911]

i had contact problem in the socket for similar symptom...polished inside the socket with dremel and addressed the problem.