[DML] Re: Help--Lost all Brakelights! Fixed, sort of

["twinenginedmc12" <twinenginedmc12@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

--- In dmcnews@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx, PRC1216@xxxx wrote:
> I fixed my problem a little bit.
>      Once I turned the car on, my regular brakelights functioned 
again, 
> however they do not when the car is off.   Before the smoking 3rd 
brakelight 
> incident, the brakelights would come on regardless of if the car 
was on or off.
> 
> Any ideas here to fix this?
> Patrick
> 1880

Hi Patrick.

The Delorean rear harness is not particularly good.  The wiring and 
connectors tend to corrode, and lose some of the conductivity over 
the years.  I suspect one of two things in your car: 

1. (more likely) that you've heated the wiring during your short 
circuit to the point that the resistance is too high to properly 
light up your lights when the car is off.

If you have a multimeter, you can measure the resistance from the 
fuse to the taillight.  It should be really low.  Connectors are a 
suspect place to look for excessive resistance. Unplugging them and 
plugging them back in a few times can sometimes improve the 
connection.  Using dielectric grease on connectors is a good idea.  
It slows corrosion. 

2. (less likely) that a lingering partial short between the brake 
light wire and the frame draws down just enough voltage so that the 
lights don't light.

measure the resistance between the brake light wiring and the frame.  
It should be infinite.

Just for kicks, you might measure the voltage at the brake lamp 
itself, with the car off, and the brake pedal down.  I suspect you'll 
find that the voltage is low.  How much lower than battery voltage is 
it?  The lower it is, the worse your problem.  Incidentally, if you 
see good voltage there, I'm wrong about what I think is wrong with 
your wiring, and it's something else.


Rick Gendreau
11472








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