1994 Saab 900 "Brakelight Failure"

Dec 25, 2007 4 Replies

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GHolman 18 years ago

I've recently been having problems with my brake lights, as brought to my attention by the "Brakelight Failure" indicator in the dash. When I apply the brakes without the headlights on, only the thin horizontal brake light in the middle lights up. With the headlights on, the outer brake lights stay on (above the flashers) but do not increase in brightness when the brakes are applied. The inner brake lights (above the reverse lights) will not go on under any circumstances.

Could this be a fuse problem? Or perhaps a relay? I'm not familiar with the wiring on Saabs. Any help would be appreciated!

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Saab C900 Viggenist 18 years ago

94 900's would be the first year of the 'new-generation' 900's unless it's one of the 1994 'commemerative' classic 900 convertibles? What you're describing sounds like an earth problem somewhere though.

Check any fuses and relays related to lighting and power to auxilliary circuits first though, just to rule out anything that can be sorted out quickly.

On the 2- and 4-door sedan and convertible classic 900's (1979 to 1993 + the

1994 'commemerative' converitbles), there is a well-known problem with earth connections to the rear light clusters failing over time resulting in very wierd behaviour of brake lights, indicators, etc.

If you know where the wiring goes at the back part of your car, see if you can so some visual tracing and you might find something amiss there.

Good luck!

Craig.

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GHolman 18 years ago

Thanks! I'll try some sleuthing and get back to you!

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Adrian 18 years ago

GHolman (GHolman ) gurgled happily, sounding much like they were saying:

I'd be looking at the bulbs first off.

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gStacey07 18 years ago

Before you get to carried away, I would replace bulbs, they are cheap. If the high mount works, the circuit is doing something. Is it all of a sudden you get the "brake light failure" message, or for a while. The inner light cavities are not typically used, one of them will light(bright) when the switch below your foglight switch is pressed, this is a rear fog light, used in Europe. If you have a test light, and know how to use one, a diagnosis would be simple. I believe each tail/brake cluster has a dedicated ground, and for both of these to fail at same time would be rare. Gerald

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