All the brake lights went on my car?

spank_inferno

Hi All

As the title said, noticed this morning that both brake lights on the bumper and the 'strip' brake light on the rear-view window have stopped working.

What could have caused all lights to stop working?
Is it a fuse?

And most importantly is it easy to fix?

the car is a Skoda fabia 01

many thanks!

Tipsy Mac

Id say its the brake switch, connects to the brake, common fault on VAG cars. You might have also been getting the EPC light on the dash recently. Its about a €75 fix at a main dealers, part is about €35 if you want to do it yourself.

kyote00

Could be a fuse, do the front parking light work ? If they do, then it might be the brake light switch

The fuse panel is either on drivers side at your right knee or on the passenger side under the glove box.

There is usually a fuse diagram on the panel itself....

Then again, this is boards.ie, so it could also be the head gasket, your turbo or a complete engine failure....:D

Maqnus

Where did they go???

The Muppet

kyote00 wrote: »

Could be a fuse, do the front parking light work ? If they do, then it might be the brake light switch

The fuse panel is either on drivers side at your right knee or on the passenger side under the glove box.

There is usually a fuse diagram on the panel itself....

Then again, this is boards.ie, so it could also be the head gasket, your turbo or a complete engine failure....:D

Each side brake light should be on seperate fuses, both fuses would have to be gone. More likely the switch with all lights gone.

<EDIT>

apparently not on the Fabia, Just googled and found this,

http://www.fabia-vrs.com/technical-info/fuse-panel-layout/

not your model but the fuse layout should be the same, Fuse 2 is your brake lights. </EDIT>

spank_inferno

Thanks for your replies guys

I checked the car just now,
The parking lights work fine front & rear.
However the "EPC" alert is on the dash also.

If I want to troubleshoot a fuse issue, would I remove the fuse for say Interior lighting, and substitute that fuse into the slot for the brake light.
if it works then I know its a fuse, if not then It could be the switch thing?

If it isnt the fuse and is the switched mentioned by Tipsey, how would I go about fixing it?

Drummerboy08

Sounds like a dodgy switch. I had it happen on a 307 not too long ago. Lights were working on and off, but with the new switch, it solved the problem.

If it was a fuse, they wouldnt work, full stop.

Tipsy Mac

Its located under the brake pedal, think its about the size of a box of matches, i'm not exactly sure if you have to pull back the carpet to access it. Gsf carparts sell them or any VW dealer. Id say leave it to a dealer unless you are fairly sure what your doing, i'm sure theres guides on various forums on how to do it.

Mr.David

Tipsy Mac wrote: »

Its about a €75 fix at a main dealers, part is about €35 if you want to do it yourself.

Where did you get those prices? I did it on an Octavia so prob the same part for under a fiver. Its a 30 second job with no tools needed couldnt be easier.

Mr.David

There are guides online. Its under the brake pedal (obviously!) up near the top and I think its black with a white switch sticking out the top. Rotate it and it comes off and then just pop the new one in its a piece of piss.

Tipsy Mac

Mr.David wrote: »

Where did you get those prices? I did it on an Octavia so prob the same part for under a fiver. Its a 30 second job with no tools needed couldnt be easier.

I payed it at a main dealer, I was none the wiser on price at the time. The part though was around 30 from gsf if I remember correctly.

JHMEG

From GSF website:

93552F BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH-4 PIN FABIA 4.85

(That's £ sterling, so should be ~€7.50 if they use the same generous conversion rates Argos and Halfords use)

Tipsy Mac

JHMEG wrote: »

From GSF website:

93552F BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH-4 PIN FABIA 4.85

(That's £ sterling, so should be ~€7.50 if they use the same generous conversion rates Argos and Halfords use)

Jaysus, looks like I was looking in a big window that day when I got it fixed.

The Muppet

spank_inferno wrote: »

If I want to troubleshoot a fuse issue, would I remove the fuse for say Interior lighting, and substitute that fuse into the slot for the brake light.
if it works then I know its a fuse, if not then It could be the switch thing?

If it isnt the fuse and is the switched mentioned by Tipsey, how would I go about fixing it?

You should be able to tell just by looking at the fuse if it is blown. The metal joining both legs will be burnt/gone. If swapping/replacing fuses make sure you use one of the same ampage, The brake lights use a 10 amp fuse. There may be spare fuses in the fuse box.

guerito

There's a handy step-by-step guide for a MkIV Golf here:

http://forums.vwvortex.com/zerothread?id=1158315

Your Fabia shouldn't be too much different.

I went down to my local factors and got the part for €10. It takes 20 minutes to change yourself, even if you're as ham-fisted as me. If you are going to try it yourself, try to check which switch type you have in the car. There are 2 types (2-pin and 4-pin), so don't go and get the wrong one like I did. I know it only applies to pre-99 Audis, so yours will probably be the more common one if it's an 01 Skoda.

spank_inferno

I swapped the brake light fuse with another 10amp fuse while on my lunch to no avail. The brake light fuse looked find also.

So it looks like its going to be the brake light switch after all.

I felt behind the brake pedal and felt a small plastic thing (covered in dirt)
So I'm reckoning that should be it.


Thanks again for all your replies!

And if anyone is driving behind a green fabia tonight on the N11 be aware if I slow down!