I have a theory on "brake light out warnings"

[wickedwillie]

Having owned my Vec C for 3 years and this is the 3rd time that this has happened in that time (the intermittent brake light 'out' warning on the trip computer and light on the dash). This always appears to manifest itself in the same manner when one of the brake/back lights are reaching the end of their life. I get an intermittant display as I drive along for maybe a couple of weeks before the intermittent fault becomes 'hard'.
My theory is that as the bulb filament reaches its end of life (but not yet open circuit), the resistance seems to increase and the bulb failure indicator senses this and therefore spreads the load over 2 bulbs instaed of 1 but flashes up the warning.
The first time this happened, I tried to find the offending bulb but twas a bit of a nightmare becasue the bulb had not yet blown. I have now learned that in 2 to 3 weeks of these intermittent warnings, the bulb will blow and it is easy to locate and replace.
Anybody had similar?

[_ZS_]

Brakes? Brakes are for the weak.

No, I've not noticed that, when one of mine went out it went immedately. I replaced both bulbs as matter of course (two came in the pack).

[GazVXLINE170]

its the 'check brakelight switch' warning i get occasionally.

Gazza4

[Duncan]

Yep, that's a pretty good theory as I've found the same - not just on brake lights either. Bulb warnings pop up in advance but bulb still okay, then bulb finally does go not long after.

[Preey]

On the start up of my car this morning i got the intermittent brake light 'out' warning on the trip computer and light on the dash saying 3rd brake light out

had a look and all fine 1st time i have ever had it on so lets see if ones pops now

[m8internet]

I've had that twice now
Sent someone to look at the rear to work out which bulb had blown on which side
"er, all three are working, but you seem to have different lights showing", was the first response which didn't make any sense
So I got them to sit in the drivers seat and apply the brake
I then realised the car was adjusting for the blown bulb and adjusting the lower red bulb into a stop and tail, instead of its normal tail setting

[Guyver1]

Having owned my Vec C for 3 years and this is the 3rd time that this has happened in that time (the intermittent brake light 'out' warning on the trip computer and light on the dash). This always appears to manifest itself in the same manner when one of the brake/back lights are reaching the end of their life. I get an intermittant display as I drive along for maybe a couple of weeks before the intermittent fault becomes 'hard'.
My theory is that as the bulb filament reaches its end of life (but not yet open circuit), the resistance seems to increase and the bulb failure indicator senses this and therefore spreads the load over 2 bulbs instaed of 1 but flashes up the warning.
The first time this happened, I tried to find the offending bulb but twas a bit of a nightmare becasue the bulb had not yet blown. I have now learned that in 2 to 3 weeks of these intermittent warnings, the bulb will blow and it is easy to locate and replace.
Anybody had similar?

Think I too have figured out why the warning appears before the event

its illegal to drive with a defective bulb

so you get a "get of jail free card" by being able to swap the bulb before you get caught

[m8internet]

its illegal to drive with a defective bulb

It's hardly illegal, only if you start your journey with defective vehicle lighting
In almost all cases a simple VDRF is issued
Equally, during the hours of darkness how many Police vehicles do you see with defective lighting!
There used to be a VW Golf Estate allocated to Glasgow South which had one headlight, one tailight, and one number plate light out for several months!

[ed taylor]

Yep, that's a pretty good theory as I've found the same - not just on brake lights either. Bulb warnings pop up in advance but bulb still okay, then bulb finally does go not long after.

Yes me too I wonder if he has sussed it.

[ed taylor]

It's hardly illegal, only if you start your journey with defective vehicle lighting
In almost all cases a simple VDRF is issued
Equally, during the hours of darkness how many Police vehicles do you see with defective lighting!
There used to be a VW Golf Estate allocated to Glasgow South which had one headlight, one tailight, and one number plate light out for several months!

Both larisa and I carry a full set of bulbs in the car, if we did get stopped I would thank the police officer and say I will change the bulb straight away in front of him. I said to the wife if she is on her own then say to the police officer that she has a full set of bulbs. Would he mind changing the offending bulb for her as she doesn,t quite now how to do it............. I said I bet the police officer will say You carry on home. But make sure your husband changes the blown bulb tomorrow.