Hey guys, recently I've finally been fixing up a few lighting things in my DA LTD (same electrics as an EA Fairmont).

Everything worked fine until after I did the following:

Replaced both lights for the rear number plate
Removed both lights from both rear ashtrays
Replaced light under auto shifter
Replaced light in trip computer
Replaced lights under LCD's in the dash cluster
Replaced light behind LCD in the climate control unit

I also removed all four rear brake lights, rear indicators and reverse lights.
Currently there are only two brake lights installed (out of four).

Now onto the actual problem; When I push the brake pedal the light in the front ash-tray lights up as well as the parking lights. Also the light in the climate control unit (signaling the Auto, Demist or Off status) dims to a level that's barely detectable during the day.

It's very confusing really, the park and front ash-tray lights, as far as I know, aren't physically connected to the brake switch or brake light wires. Unless it's a grounding issue or a lose wire..


Is anyone able to help out with this one?

i reckon take out the bulbs from the tail lights and test maybe its touching both contacts and its sending voltage through the parking lights

Are they new bulbs or what?

If not, replace with new ones. As Magna said, sounds like the globes are shorting the two circuits somehow and sending current back down the parker lines to the dash. Check for corrosion on the bulb contacts and holders.

Also, why remove brakelights? This might cause more problems, such as the cruise not working if it has it.

No they aren't, I was tinting the rear light clusters and accidentally shut the boot lid with a bulb in the way..
I'll grab another one tomorrow.

I wasn't aware cruise control doesn't function if a brake light is missing, that would explain why it isn't currelty working though .


Thanks for your help guys.

As the cruise uses the brake lights/brake switch as a cancelling point, it knows how much resistance the bulbs place on the circuit. Less bulbs place less of a load, and it will think something is wrong, and safest option then is to not let it enable.

Get all new bulbs for the taillights, change the lot. They are cheap as anyway. Let us know how you go.

Thanks for the help guys, got some new bulbs and it's working fine now.

park lights and the interior lights that come on with the park lights being triggered by the brake pedal? $5 says you've jammed a single filament bulb in where a dual filament (brake/tail light) bulb should be....