Newbie Rear Brake Light Question(S), 2001 Model

Swindlebiscuit · Post by **Swindlebiscuit** » Sun Jan 12, 2014 12:47 pm

Hi all,

Okay, so it appears that my brake bulbs have (possibly) blown.

But first, I have a very basic question to ask:

Where is the brake bulb found in the rear light cluster? Is it in the part marked 1 or 2 in the pic below?

Thanks!

Paul

rita · Post by **rita** » Sun Jan 12, 2014 2:05 pm

You can check the various models here...

http://lushprojects.com/bongopartsmk2/

rita · Post by **rita** » Sun Jan 12, 2014 2:16 pm

It might also be worthwhile checking the brake light switch on the foot pedal bracket as these have a habit of breaking down.

Sorry for the pun.

Post by **Simon Jones** » Sun Jan 12, 2014 2:36 pm

Bulb 1 is sidelight and bulb 2 is side + brake. With the high level brake light (if fitted), you should have 3 things illuminating when the brake pedal is pressed. If they're all out, then it does point to the brake switch above the pedal. Remove the 2 connectors and short them together and that should light them up.

Swindlebiscuit · Post by **Swindlebiscuit** » Sun Jan 12, 2014 3:24 pm

Thanks for the replies, Rita and Simon.

That's interesting about the brake light switch. I'm pretty sure that one brake light failed, followed by the other a few weeks later. To me that sounds like it's the bulbs, no?

If the switch has gone, would the spoiler brake light stop working too? It still works at the mo.

I have removed the side cluster (marked 2 on my pic) and all of the bulbs appear to be working. Again, forgive my lack of mechanical/electrical understanding, but Simon - are you saying that there is only one bulb in the side+brake section that covers both braking and general illumination when the lights are on? i.e. It (should) simply gets brighter when the brake pedal is depressed? There are only three bulbs in section 2, including the indicator and the reverse lights.

Any ideas?

Thanks again,

Paul

Post by **Simon Jones** » Sun Jan 12, 2014 3:29 pm

Ok, the brake switch is working, so you're just looking at a duff bulb. I don't recall the exact bulb fitted, but I believe it is a twin filament with one for side and one for brake.

It's probably this one: http://www.eurocarparts.com/ecp/p/car-a ... &0&cc5_401

Swindlebiscuit · Post by **Swindlebiscuit** » Sun Jan 12, 2014 3:44 pm

Okay - thanks Simon.

This is what's confusing me though. This is a photo with lights on and brake depressed:

This is with lights on and brake off:

When the lights are off and the brake depressed, only the spoiler light comes on.

Does this mean that the brake bulb is working, but somehow not coming on when the brake pedal is depressed?

Apologies for making a meal of what is prob a very simple problem, but I can't quite understand what's happening here.

Thanks again,

Paul

Swindlebiscuit · Post by **Swindlebiscuit** » Sun Jan 12, 2014 3:46 pm

Apologies - just read your reply again, and I think I understand.

I assume it must be possible for one filament to blow in a twin filament bulb, and that in both cases the "brake" filament has gone?

I'll order new bulbs and see how I get on.

Thanks!

Paul

Post by **Simon Jones** » Sun Jan 12, 2014 3:56 pm

Yes, the 21w brake filament looks to have blown while the 5w side light is still working.

Swindlebiscuit · Post by **Swindlebiscuit** » Sun Jan 12, 2014 4:33 pm

Just nipped to Halfords to buy a couple of bulbs and hey presto - brake lights working again!

Thanks very much for your help Simon and Rita.

Paul

Post by **Simon Jones** » Sun Jan 12, 2014 7:10 pm

You're most welcome

.

francophile1947 · Post by **francophile1947** » Sun Jan 12, 2014 8:10 pm

Glad you're sorted

but why does the thread title say 2011 Model? Bongo Friendees were last made in 2005, so maybe 2011 was the year of first registration in the UK

Swindlebiscuit · Post by **Swindlebiscuit** » Sun Jan 12, 2014 8:34 pm

Oops - just noticed that! Of course it's meant to say 2001. I haven't managed to bag some black market new Bongo version

Is it possible to edit thread titles?

mikeonb4c · Post by **mikeonb4c** » Mon Jan 13, 2014 12:07 am

Swindlebiscuit wrote:Just nipped to Halfords to buy a couple of bulbs and hey presto - brake lights working again!

Thanks very much for your help Simon and Rita.

Paul

I kept blowing Halfords bulbs. Problem stopped when a decent one was fitted by Adrian at Japandirect when I was there. I suspect Halfords ones could be inferior

Swindlebiscuit · Post by **Swindlebiscuit** » Mon Jan 13, 2014 9:32 am

mikeonb4c wrote:
Swindlebiscuit wrote:Just nipped to Halfords to buy a couple of bulbs and hey presto - brake lights working again!

Thanks very much for your help Simon and Rita.

Paul
I kept blowing Halfords bulbs. Problem stopped when a decent one was fitted by Adrian at Japandirect when I was there. I suspect Halfords ones could be inferior

Ah -- that's good to know. Halfords stuff often seems to get labelled "inferior" it seems!

Do you happen to know what make/model of bulb Adrian fitted?

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