Rear indicator and brake light

ICE, Equipment, Options
Mcclucker89
Posts: 16
Joined: Tue Aug 27, 2019 2:04 pm
Qashqai Model: Mk.1 Qashqai - J10 (2006–2013)

Post by Mcclucker89 »

Hey guys/girls,
I seem to be having a strange issue with my nearside rear indicator and/or brake light. When I indicate and brake the light goes alot quicker and when using hazards it's dull AF.

I've tried changing the indicator bulb but sadly don't have a replacement brake light until Friday (amazon...)

I've taken it apart and checked the earth on the strips of metal in the light and the earth behind the light (connected to the bodywork under the boot trim) both working fine. The bolts jumped from 12.68 to 7.23 (approximately) when it flashes on and off but the brake light flickers too.

I've also used wd40 electronic contact cleaner everywhere.

Any help is appreciated
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andy2019
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Joined: Sat Oct 26, 2019 8:47 pm
Qashqai Model: Mk.2 Qashqai - J11 (2013–2017)

Post by andy2019 »

If your indicator bulb is flashing fast thats normally one of the other indicator bulbs has blown (side or front indicator bulbs). While your waiting for your brake bulb to arrive just take the bulb out of the other side and swsp them over to see what happens 😉
Mcclucker89
Posts: 16
Joined: Tue Aug 27, 2019 2:04 pm
Qashqai Model: Mk.1 Qashqai - J10 (2006–2013)

Post by Mcclucker89 »

All the other bulbs are fine
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calnorth
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Qashqai Model: Mk.2 Qashqai Facelift - J11b (2017–2021)

Post by calnorth »

Interesting?

From the diagnostics diags:

1. The Turn/Indicator lamp flashing is controlled by the Body Control Module (BCM).
2. Brake lights are switched directly form the brake foot pedal...no BCM control.

BCM controls the Hazard light function using the Turn/Indicator lamps. The only common element for both braking/indicator lamps is Earth (Ground) in each lamp unit vicinity.

You don't seem to have a Turn/Indicator bulb problem if you changed the bulb ok. I assume the indicators work correctly without braking?
Do the Hazards work correctly without braking?

Note: The Tail lamps use the same Earth connection as the Stop/Brake lamps
Last edited by calnorth on Tue Jun 30, 2020 9:45 am, edited 1 time in total.
Mk2 Qashqai Facelift - J11b (2017–and onward)
1.6 Dig-T N-Connecta
Mcclucker89
Posts: 16
Joined: Tue Aug 27, 2019 2:04 pm
Qashqai Model: Mk.1 Qashqai - J10 (2006–2013)

Post by Mcclucker89 »

That's the weird thing, it flashes rapidly when braking but stays normal speed when not braking. I haven't replaced the brake lights because I'm waiting on them to be delivered.

I pulled the trim off the inside of the boot and used the boot light as a positive and tested all the light cluster internal metal plus the earth on the inside because I thought it may be a ground issue. Unless I buggered that up I assume the earth is fine.
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calnorth
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Qashqai Model: Mk.2 Qashqai Facelift - J11b (2017–2021)

Post by calnorth »

And you are saying that the Hazard flashing is dim when the brake pedal is pressed? Is that faster flashing as well?
Mk2 Qashqai Facelift - J11b (2017–and onward)
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Mcclucker89
Posts: 16
Joined: Tue Aug 27, 2019 2:04 pm
Qashqai Model: Mk.1 Qashqai - J10 (2006–2013)

Post by Mcclucker89 »

I haven't actually checked it via the hazard just indicator (for when the brake is pressed) but both with hazard and indicator it's dull normally. It speeds up with indicator and brake pressed. I'll check hazard now and get back to you.
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Mcclucker89
Posts: 16
Joined: Tue Aug 27, 2019 2:04 pm
Qashqai Model: Mk.1 Qashqai - J10 (2006–2013)

Post by Mcclucker89 »

It seems when hazard flash and you press the brake the brake light starts flashing and the indicator goes even duller. It's gotta be a ground issue but everything I checked is fine.
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Mcclucker89
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Joined: Tue Aug 27, 2019 2:04 pm
Qashqai Model: Mk.1 Qashqai - J10 (2006–2013)

Post by Mcclucker89 »

Here's a few pics showing the multimeter readings from the ground wire (in the boot) and the metal strips inside the light.

Edit the current goes from 12 to 7 when the indicator flashes though. Maybe a loss of power issue?

FB_IMG_1593522868161.jpg

FB_IMG_1593522854932.jpg

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calnorth
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Qashqai Model: Mk.2 Qashqai Facelift - J11b (2017–2021)

Post by calnorth »

The behaviour you describe is typical of a bulb acquiring an alternative Earth. The wrong path to earth (ground or -ve) thereby causing all bulbs along that path to illuminate. Since the two bulbs relate to a higher resistance the illumination is lower.

Its likely the flashing speed change is because BCM detects the wrong (higher resistance path) and initiates fast flash (faulty bulb). There's something similar as link:

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=1830210

I was wondering where the earth/ground pick up to the rear lamp clusters are? At the B pillar? Which means the earth/ground is transmitted via the harness and not shown like that in the diagnostic diagrams. That throws some suspicion on the harness perhaps. There exists a struggle for the bulbs to get a good earth/ground.
Mk2 Qashqai Facelift - J11b (2017–and onward)
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