Hi guys, So I just found out that my brake lights aren't working. Well, let me re-phrase that. They aren't all working. The small center brake light in the rear window is operating correctly, but the two tail light brake lights aren't. I imagine fuse #23 would be for all of the brake lights so is this an issue with the bulbs? If so, are they easily replaced? I see that the access seems to be from inside of the luggage compartment. Do I need to remove the light assemblies to do this? Thanks in advance!
I have a 355 so I am unfilmiliar with the 328 but I know 12 volt and deal with automotive lighting on cars on a daily basis. Generaly the center (aka cyclops) brake lights usually run on a seperate circuit than the standard brake lights. I would try replacing one or both of the bulbs first as it is possible both bulbs are bad. If that doesn't work use a test light or miltimeter to check for power to the bulb. You can also check for power at the brake switch, there should be three wires; a ground, a constant hot, and one that activates with the pedal. Another thing that is commonly overlooked is the ground, check for corrosion in the bulb socket. Hope this helps. Good luck.
Using the wiring diagram Fig 6 as an information source: 1) The 3rd (upper aux) stop light goes to a connector into which the rear lights connect with a red wire. From that connector, voltage goes to first to the right rear light socket, from there to the left rear socket. 2) Stop/parking are 2 nipple bulbs, probably 1157. Do all the parking lights come on? Circuit show 2 bulbs on each side. That answer speaks volumes about where to look next. 3) The right parking and stop light use the same ground for 7 lamps (including sidemarker) on each side, near the sockets, as does the left side stop and parking lights. So if the sidemarkers, parking and turn lights work, the grounds should be ok. 4) Lamps burn out, regardless of car. For access, if it's anything like the standard 308, from the rear inside the trunk, pull the rug back, you may need a phillips to remove a fiberglass cover, then simply pull the socket out from the light. Both parking/stop and turn/reverse socket have 3 bulbs. The lamps should be changed every 7-10 years anyway, as should the turn indicator/reverse bulbs.
Yes, all of the other lights work, including the tail lights in their normal on mode. I will try these recommendations. Hopefully it is just the bulbs.
I ran across a cabling diagram of the 328abs car which might be helpful if you need to track down the connectors. Methinks the light shown within the right fender near cable #13 is the working mid-upper stop light. Ignore it's diagramatical placement there, rather than over the engine. Forgive me for not being more familiar with the 328 where it differs from the 308. This drawing shows stop lamp voltage going from cabin into engine bay (cable#11) going to the left side rear lights then over to the right side and eventually to that working stop light. The wiring diagram I referred to earlier show it going to the right side then to the left. Significance is locating the connector between that working upper stop light. So, I present the information for what it's worth, and hope the bulbs are the problem and not the connector which may require some sleuthing to find. GL Image Unavailable, Please Login
Success! Although I do feel kinda silly. I checked the fuses and they were okay. Then I checked the bulbs, and one of them was indeed out, so I replaced it. Still, the big brake lights weren't working. Then I noticed a wire in the trunk on the left side that had been disconnected (probably when I was rooting around in there for something else). I plugged it back together and voila! I have brake lights! At least it wasn't anything serious.
