VE brake lights - Not working when ignition off….

[waldog]

Hey brains trust

As the title says -VE brake lights - Not working when ignition off….

I’ve only just noticed it, but could have been the case forever.

only point of note is that I connected a new bike rack yesterday and the lights were whack…. Indicators opposite….

Check all the fuses I can find and no issues found.

What’s the deal? Is everyone’s VE like this and I’ve never noticed? Every other car I’ve owned certainly was t like this.

Cheers, Grant

 

[krusing]

"I" wouldnt trust my brain some times, but the grey matter still has some life in it !

Yes, that is correct,
Brake lights DO NOT work when the ignition off,
But,
If you turn the ignition on, and have your foot on the brake pedal they will illuminate,
if you leave your foot on the brake pedal and turn the ignition off, they wont stay on,
if you remove your foot, and place it on the pedal again, they will not illuminate, [or after a given time delay]
Well thats what I have observed.

 

[waldog]

"I" wouldnt trust my brain some times, but the grey matter still has some life in it !

Yes, that is correct,
Brake lights DO NOT work when the ignition off,
But,
If you turn the ignition on, and have your foot on the brake pedal they will illuminate,
if you leave your foot on the brake pedal and turn the ignition off, they will stay on,
if you remove your foot, and place it on the pedal again, they will not illuminate, [or after a given time delay]
Well thats what I have observed.

Thanks buddy.

Bit of a weird one.

 

[BlackVXGTS]

I thought they did work when the ignition was off, but only when the ignition was in the accessory position, which could be where the confusion comes from.

 

[lmoengnr]

"I" wouldnt trust my brain some times, but the grey matter still has some life in it !
,
Brake lights DO NOT work when the ignition off,

Strange..... Both of my VE's brake lights work when you press the pedal without the key in the ignition.
So does the VF...

 

[krusing]

Mine definitely don’t work with the ignition is off,
As I thought at one stage both globes had blown,
Being I have replaced so many globes over the years, especially the passengers side,
as I buy them in bulk now.

I have checked the wiring, fittings etc,
It’s just possibly the camber on the left of the road is rougher than the centre.
Typical of VIC Roads, repair a section of a road that doesn’t need it, doesn’t repair a road that doesnt needs it.

 

[Skylarking]

Every vehicle I’ve owned will see the brake lights operate if the pedal is pressed regardless of the key position… So it’s interesting you experiance something different with your VE.

Also interestingly is the following:

Australian Light Vehicle Standards Rules 2015​

95 Performance and operation of brake lights​

1. When on, a brake light must show a red light visible 30 metres from the rear of the vehicle.
2. A brake light fitted to a street rod vehicle may incorporate a blue lens not over 20 millimetres in diameter.
3. A brake light fitted to a motor vehicle must come on, if it is not already on, when:
   (a) for a vehicle with 4 or more wheels or built after 1974 — a service brake is applied; or
   (b) for another vehicle — the rear wheel brake is applied.
4. Subrule (3) does not apply if the controls in the vehicle that start the engine are in a position that makes it impossible for the engine to operate.
5. A brake light on a trailer must come on when:
   (a) the brake light of the towing vehicle comes on; or
   (b) a brake control on the towing vehicle, which independently activates the service brake on the trailer, is operated.
6. A brake light may be operated by an engine brake, retarder, or similar device if the device does not interfere with the proper operation of the brake light

Trying to find the relevant information from ADR’s is a pain since we’ve harmonised with UNECE standards

Guess this means it’s ok for brake lights not to operate if key is off… but I’d think how it works would be consistent for any given model/manufacture

 

[waldog]

Every vehicle I’ve owned will see the brake lights operate if the pedal is pressed regardless of the key position… So it’s interesting you experiance something different with your VE.

Also interestingly is the following:

Australian Light Vehicle Standards Rules 2015​

95 Performance and operation of brake lights​

1. When on, a brake light must show a red light visible 30 metres from the rear of the vehicle.
2. A brake light fitted to a street rod vehicle may incorporate a blue lens not over 20 millimetres in diameter.
3. A brake light fitted to a motor vehicle must come on, if it is not already on, when:
   (a) for a vehicle with 4 or more wheels or built after 1974 — a service brake is applied; or
   (b) for another vehicle — the rear wheel brake is applied.
4. Subrule (3) does not apply if the controls in the vehicle that start the engine are in a position that makes it impossible for the engine to operate.
5. A brake light on a trailer must come on when:
   (a) the brake light of the towing vehicle comes on; or
   (b) a brake control on the towing vehicle, which independently activates the service brake on the trailer, is operated.
6. A brake light may be operated by an engine brake, retarder, or similar device if the device does not interfere with the proper operation of the brake light

Trying to find the relevant information from ADR’s is a pain since we’ve harmonised with UNECE standards

Guess this means it’s ok for brake lights not to operate if key is off… but I’d think how it works would be consistent for any given model/manufacture

Agreed, why isn’t it consistent….

Gah…. I don’t know who I am anymore…..

 

[krusing]

I was told today, I have a Brake Light out AGAIN,
this time the RH side,
So get the box of 21/5 Globes out again !

 

[lout]

So get the box of 21/5 Globes out again !

i think i mentioned this in a previous post
but either buy from holden or buy commercial globes from your auto parts store
i average about every 5 years or 100,000km for a globe
but the ve does seem the worst for brake lights