Golf mk5 brake light problem

[bhav_uk2002]

Hi guys,

i havent really used this forum site since i joined but now i have a problem.

i have a 2005 VW golf 1.4 fsi petrol.

About 6 months ago i noticed that the driver side brake light was cutting out if i had my foot on the brake pedal for more than around 12-15 seconds (like when waiting at a traffic light)

recently i have noticed that the same light is not working at all. I replaced the bulb and the brake pedal switch but still have the same problem with the light not working at all. A friend of mine checked the power supply to the bulb and there is definately power going to the bulb.

because of this issue, my car has failed its yearly MOT test and is niw off the road untill i get it fixed.

does anyone know of this fault or point me in the right direction towards any other posts on the forum???

your help is much appreciated.

thankyou from a very frustrated VW fan!!!!

[Guest 2]

Have you had a fault code scan?

Whereabouts are you?

[bhav_uk2002]

Thanks A6_chris. I haven't scanned for fault codes as i thought that lighting failures would not register a fault code. However, there is a light that comes up on the dashboard indicating a faulty light. Im in leicester mate.

[Teflon]

If, as you say there is definately power going to the bulb, then there are only two options. Either the bulb is duff or it doesn't have a good earth. Either will show up as a fault on the dashboard. Check the connectors in the housing to make sure you have a good contact with the bulb. You might need to prise them up a little (power off!) or even give them a rub with an emery pen.

.

[bhav_uk2002]

Thanks Teflon.

i actually gave up on this issue and decided to take it to an auto electrician today. It turns out that there is some kind of multi function controller behind the dashboard that had one of the channels blown(the one which controls the brake light). To replace that part costs £200 plus labour which involves removing the whole dash and speedo clocks.

Second option was to tap into the wiring that supplies the lights that are working and connect the wiring for the non-working light to the circuit that is working so that all of the lights will be operated by one circuit. Cost of this was £90. The only downside is that it would mean the non operational circuit will constantly show a fault on my dasboard lights.

So, to save over £300, i decided to go for the cheaper option and just live with the constant light on my dashboard! At least my car is back home and "road legal" now!!! PS- the diagnostics computer didnt register any fault codes on this problem. Is this right???

thanks to all who read this thread and made suggestions.