I recently found out my high level brake light is disconnected in the boot (trunk) and the connectors are taped up under the rear window.
I'm reluctant to just reconnect them as there was obviously a reason for unplugging them in the first place.
The related fuse is ok.
Any ideas anyone?
Roy.

 

Roy,

That is bizarre and inoperative HL stoplight will be an MoT fail so you need to troubleshoot it.

I recall there is another unused feed taped up under the parcel shelf so make sure you get the right one.

The worst thing it can do is blow a fuse if you reconnect to check whether the unit works or not. A more thorough check is to test the power supply at the disconnected harness plug and separately to put a direct feed to the brake light unit to see whether it illuminates.

Graham

 

Many thanks for a speedy reply.
I'll try as you suggest.
I wonder what the other connectors are for?
Mine have been taped up with carpet tape, fairly untidily - it doesn't look like a factory job so I'd be surprised if it is indeed just a spare pair of connectors.
Roy.

 

Roy,

My last 2001 XK8 had the standard sound system and it had a separate unused connector taped up with carpet tape! The 2005 has the premium sound system and there isn't a similar spare connector:



The HL stoplight feed is the black cotton insulated harness going up though the grommet to the right of the speaker.

Could be the spare is actually an audio connector for the parcel shelf speaker and not a harness feed?

Graham

 

Broken wires in the loom to the high light at the hinge location are a common problem. That may be why the light doesn't work and the taped up connector may be the one referenced in the previous post.

 

Thanks you guys - it looks as if my connectors are the sound system ones.
I'll check the wiring at the hinge.
B.T.W... What an ACE forum!
Roy.

 

When I purchased my car the 3rd light didn't work and it turned out that the wiring was all fine and it was the LED light itself that had failed. It is an ingenuous design where if one LED should get a short the rest of them will go as well.

In my coupe the light housing snaps into two clips glued to the back glass and to remove all you need do is pull. The wiring is rather short but has a connector right at the base of the glass to allow complete removal and troubleshooting.

The LED bar can be repaired if you have time and are handy with a soldering iron. I replaced all of the components and now it works great, and is even brighter than stock.

Good luck!

 

I have a couple LEDs out on my 3rd rear brake light ('vert). I took out the light and popped off the painted cover, but can't get past the red clear plastic housing for the LED strip. It seems it's permanently sealed. Any suggestions how to remove the red clear housing to gain access to the LED strip and circuit board?