30legacyl Posted February 21, 2010 Share Posted February 21, 2010 Well, I have an original owner 99Legacy L Sdn. 2.2l 5spd. 221,000 Miles and now when I step on the brake pedal, the trunk taillights and spoiler mounted LED 3rd Brakelight go dark and the Taillights and brakelights mounted in each rear quarter DO work (all 4 work as running lights prior to depressing the pedal.) Can't figure where to fix this to find the fault. Any ideas? BTW: Brakes also seem to be vibrating under med+ pressure (thought was warped rotors, but) & ABS light seems to come on/ go off since taillights issue came up...? COULD these be related, Looking for help and can't quite afford a blank check to the mechanic at this time, so If I can narrow it & fix it, I'd be HIGHLY thankful. Any experiences w/ this? Appreciate it- Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
subikid90 Posted February 23, 2010 Share Posted February 23, 2010 I would start with checking for bad grounds in the lights. Use a circuit tester and find a good ground and see if the light in the tester acts the same as the lights on the car. I wouldn't think that it has anything to do with your brakes vibrating but I would start with testing the wires. Maybe someone else has more information? -Subikid90 1997 Legacy GT 5spd & EJ251 w/EJ25D heads ~10.5CR 1998 Legacy GT Limited waiting for EJ22T hybrid swap Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GNG_Kirby Posted February 23, 2010 Share Posted February 23, 2010 Yah check wires. It sounds like there might be a small short somewhere, and when you compress the brake pedal, the increased volts/watts going to the bulbs are shorting somewhere. Can't be 100% sure without being there of course, but always check the cheap and simple stuff first. Lol. Goodluck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stogie Posted February 23, 2010 Share Posted February 23, 2010 sounds like someone put in the wrong bulb in your brake lights or tail lights. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
30legacyl Posted February 23, 2010 Author Share Posted February 23, 2010 Figured I'd check grounds & harness as first step- but saw a clip on Chevy Trucks w/ Bad ABS controller causing constant pedal Pulse too-bad relay in the control module- thought it might be related...or maybe I just have two issues going on. Can't remember last time I had to change a brakelight bulb..... Thought maybe this was a problem others had seen, as I originally thought the LED bar had gone bad w/ the excessive mileage, but then as I was able to get more help to check I got to where I am now. Thanks for the suggestions. Wiring is bundled up so nicely, I can't tell where it's packaged versus mounted to the body without pulling it all apart I guess. Gotta find the Chiltons manual and check the harness routing & mounting points. -I'll let you all know what I find. Once I get to it this weekend. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
30legacyl Posted February 23, 2010 Author Share Posted February 23, 2010 Should I have posted this under OLDER LEGACY PERFORMANCE? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
30legacyl Posted March 10, 2010 Author Share Posted March 10, 2010 Eureka! Problem solved- I unwrapped the harness leading to the trunklid, and found a browned and partially melted part to the connector plug on the groundwire terminals on both sides. I abandoned the ground going into the main harness, cut back and spliced in a new leader to the trunk subharness, and grounded it to the support crossmember for the trunk lid torsion springs. problem solved- taillights, brakelights & LED work fine now. Tested wiring for excessive heat by pushing down on brake pedal w/ window squeegee placed between drivers seat & waited 5 min.- No heat in wiring (new or old). Thanks for the tips, just wonder if dielectric grease in the connectors will prevent other leads from overheating as it gets older? - Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
subikid90 Posted March 11, 2010 Share Posted March 11, 2010 Thats good to hear! -Subikid90 1997 Legacy GT 5spd & EJ251 w/EJ25D heads ~10.5CR 1998 Legacy GT Limited waiting for EJ22T hybrid swap Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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