Weird brake light and indicator problem

[kai888]

Hi guys, my sister has a 2005 beetle, thats having some seriously weird electrical problems.

Sometimes the right handside brake light doesn't work, and when you hold the brake pedal after the car has been turned off, the front right park light comes on.

Sometimes the left hand rear indicator doesn't work, i've checked all the bulbs and when i replug them after i take them out, the lights would be fine for a while, but timing is varied, sometimes it can be good for a few days, and sometimes it will go weird within a few minutes.

thanks.

[Peter Jones]

Sounds like earthing issues to me.

I'm not sure how beetles are wired but chances are that there's a brown wire from either or both of the tail lights that's screwed to a metal part of the body. Undo that screw and clean the lug and the body work so that the two make good contact when you screw it back together.

Pete

[graeme86]

Definitely sounds like a bad earth somewhere.

All the earths in Beetle end up at a few main earthpoints scattered around the car. You can't miss them.

I would start with the one thats on the steering column tube. All the dash switches etc are earthed to that point. i.e the brake switch and light switch all eventually end up earthing there.

Also check the ones in the engine bay, especially the main one where the battery earth is bolted.

There is also one in the boot somewhere for the tail lights etc. Should be on the left side somewhere as the harness runs down that side of the car.

[kai888]

thanks guys, i'm give those tips a try and report back on anything i find.

[h100vw]

Seen that happen when a filament in a dual filament bulb has broken and shorted to the sidelight.

Replace the duff brake/tail light.

Gavin

[kai888]

Seen that happen when a filament in a dual filament bulb has broken and shorted to the sidelight.

Replace the duff brake/tail light.

Gavin

Initially i thought it was the brake lights too, i changed both bulbs and it was still happening.

But i finally managed to fix the issue, it was a grounding problem in the boot,

theres two ground wires in the boot area, undid both, cleaned and retightened and now it seems fine.

thanks for all the replies guys, very helpful.