Help with brake lights on 1982 Mk1 Golf Cabrio (Rabbit)

Hi,

I'm helping my brother in the US restore a 1982 VW Golf Mk1 Cabrio (Rabbit), and we're having trouble getting the brake lights to work.  The bulbs are new, though a testing of the wiring into the lights found no power.  Other lights are working.

Any thoughts on what might be happening, or any tests we can try, would be most appreciated!

Tony

Hi All, I just wanted to follow up and see if anyone might be able to help?  Thanks!

The brake light switch may need to be tested, as it is usually on the MC on the early Cabriolets.  You can switch it to the latter brake pedal ones.

Also on the rear light bracket, you need to verify that there are good ground to each side as they cascaded the grounds from the left rear over to the right.
and I have found that the Bumper bolt on the rear of each bracket works as a goods place to get a secure ground to the middle of the light frame.

Cabby-info.com has a good reference to where all the Grounds are on a CIS Cabriolet.

The brake lights are switched power, so the operative thing is to see where the power is and where it isn't, you have checked the fuse for the lamp circuits?

The test at the switch.

 

This is incredibly helpful Briano123, THANK YOU!

Yes, the brake switch is on the master cylinder for this one.  On one end of the switch looks to be two sets of wires.  On the other is one set of wire that has an extension cord.

Do you have any thoughts on how to test these wires for power?  

Thanks!!

Tony

Hi Briano1234 ,   

I wanted to see if you might have any thoughts on how to test the wires on the brake switch above?  This is the last issue my brother has with the car, and all looks to be sorted!

Thanks in advance for any help you can provide!

Yes, you can short them out on the connector, if the lights come on, then the switch is bad.

Thank you!!  He will have a go with the switch soon!