Brake lights Alfetta GTV

[poohbah]

I have a minor but annoying problem - tail lights, rear indicators, and reversing lights all work on my GTV, but the brake lights have stopped working on the LHS. I replaced bothLHS brake light globes (dual filament 12V 21/5W) but although the tail light filament comes on with the rest of the lights, the brake light filaments still don't work.

Any hints where to start? Are there separate fuses for brake lights on each side?

Not sure if it is relevant, but I also discovered some lovely rust holes either side of the cut-outs in the sheet metal when I removed the lens. I guess moisture could have got in and corroded the connections? Seems odd that it would be both globes though, given they each have their own plastic connector terminal that are a few inches apart.

[poohbah]

Thanks sportiva, will see if I can get them going again.  Don't want to sound dumb, but when you say circuit board, do you mean at fuse box?

[Citroënbender]

I'd presume he's referring to the bulb carrier, that portion the lamp bases lock into with their bayonet fixings. If you've got corrosion it's obviously a bit humid in there, so quite possible oxidisation has occurred. I use grey Scotchbrite instead of 0000 steel wool to buff contacts.

There are contact enhancing chemicals, dear to buy but in a marginal situation might make enough difference to be worthwhile. Look up Stabilant-22A. 

Multimeters are getting cheaper by the year, I augmented my 2006 $79 unit with a $40 meter from the same supplier (Jaycar) in May. Near enough to the same specs.

[poohbah]

Cheers CB, my first plan of attack is to check the connections to the bulb carrier. Definitely my main suspect given the rust holes I found lurking once I removed the lens.

I suspect its nothing too complicated - even the tail light filament on one one flicked on/off with a bit of fiddling the globe, so contact points may just need a clean up.

[bteoh]

Hi,
It is quite common for the bulb carrier contacts to corrode and bulbs to cease getting power. It happened to mine too and I had to clean them they went back to normal.

[poohbah]

Cheers BT, I hope to get to it on weekend.

[GTVeloce]

I have always had to clean up the contacts on the rear boards to ensure reliable lights. Once done I have never had to do it again. Plus its an easy job to do. I usually just use some fine wet and dry sand paper and finish it with a little contact cleaner. Also spray a little cleaner into the plug and check the wires in the plug and firm and sound.

If that doesn't work, out with the multimeter and work backwards from the plug. There is another plug that can be the culprit and to save you hunting for it, it is hidden underneath the dash hard up against the passenger side. From memory it is a red plug with about eight wires on it.

Having said that, I think from memory the feed to the brake lights is a single wire that loops from one side to the other which should confirm the poor contact theory.

While you are there, clean the earth contact between the two light clusters.

[poohbah]

Thanks. Plan to get to it this weekend.

[poohbah]

Thanks all - all it took was a little bit of cleaning the contacts to get all lights working again.

[Floppa]

Hi guys, on the subject of taillights does anybody know where to find new lens? My 85' gtv is ready to rego when I can find one. I've searched the world over and come up short

Regards jon

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[Paul Gulliver]

I don't know about new ones but Hugh Harrison @ Monza Motors in Bayswater should have some

[Citroënbender]

I've just seen the German breakers' prices - yeow! But there is one new RH lens for €179 including mwst.

[Alfetta77]

Hi, Jon, late GTV lenses are listed on Highwood Alfa website with price as "please ask" http://www.highwoodalfa.com/77ff1d6c-0455-43bf-91d1-b8d657392653-9.html, which may mean they are NLA, but can't hurt to send an email just in case. Second the Monza Motors suggestion too.

[Floppa]

Hi, Jon, late GTV lenses are listed on Highwood Alfa website with price as "please ask" http://www.highwoodalfa.com/77ff1d6c-0455-43bf-91d1-b8d657392653-9.html, which may mean they are NLA, but can't hurt to send an email just in case. Second the Monza Motors suggestion too.

Thanks Paul & alfetta 77, will give monza a call tomorrow. I have tried Chris at Highwood and like you said NLA. Italian job has a new one but it's killer expensive, might be my only option if monza has none.

Regards Jon

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[Citroënbender]

Right side. To guesstimate landed price remove the 19% tax then add €65 for postage. So probably $380 Oz pesos on your doormat.

https://www.alfa-onlineshop.de/heckleuchte-ruecklicht-rechts-alfetta-gtv-2-0/gtv6-2-5-neu-original-10887