GolfGTIforum.co.uk
Model specific boards => Golf mk2 => Topic started by: jase555 on 04 January 2007, 11:30
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hey dudes,
can anyone let me know what voltage the handbrake warning light bulb is (the one between the bank of switches to the left of the clocks on my 89 8v gti)? i get around 1.5v, the local steeler says that might be right but not sure. i would have thought it was 12v and was going to buy a buld from maplin electronics for pence but now i dont know weather to get the proper jobby from the local steeler @ 15 quid but dont want to buy it if its the switch this fubar!!
can anyone shine some light.................lol
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is it not wrote on the metal base? pop it out and pull the plug out, and take a gander? or is it one of those with the bare wires below?
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Have you tested the bulb for a circuit? Did you check the other pole of the connector for a good earth?
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hmmmmm...
will have a lookie and get back
ta
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ill see waht i can find in mine as well mate :)
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wires on it are 12v, the led is only 3/3.5 volts standard led basically there is something in there to drop the voltage somewhere www.ultraleds.com is a good place to get some if ur good with a soldering iron.
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Yep you are talking about resistors. Some places sell LED bulbs for 12v DC circuits with resistors built-in! Pretty cool idea and makes installation much easier.
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http://www.crazyleds.co.uk/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=114&products_id=521
That is what I'm talking about. NOT cheap however :sick:
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so even though i put my meter on the terminals inside the plug with it disconnected from the bulb, it reads 3ish volts, this is ok? or should it read 12v and then get reduced inside the buld?
if its actually giving out 3ish volts the i wouldnt need a 12v led with a resistor. or would I?
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Yes you are absolutely correct. You can just buy a replacement LED and bung it in there because the dash loom has resistors built in to accomodate the factory LEDs.
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Just some theory to chuck in here.
The handbrake warning light on early golfs in the center of the dash is a 12V bulb with no dropper resistor, unless it's been modded and an LED put in.
If its an LED in the dash the dropper resistor is on the printed circuit. Generally LED's don't fail within the lifetime of the car.
If the LED is broken and open circuit you will measure 12V at the point the LED was. Your multimeter doesn't draw enough current to drop any volts across the resistor.
A small Voltage Regulator provides the dash system with a regulated 10V. A series resistor will drop enough voltage when the LED is working to leave about 1.6V across the LED itself.
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thats great...................................................what does that mean? :laugh:
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Reading back to your first question. Is this the single horizontal red light in the dash under the rear demist switch? If so, they are 12V bulbs and the bulbn gets replaced with the red/beige plastic housing. I'll send you one for a couple of quid.
(I think the other guys are talking about LED's within the instrument console between the speedo and the rev counter/clock.)
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If you take the back off the handbrake light then you can clearly see the bulb inside soldered onto the housing.
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Right fellas,
this is where im at now.
fitted a LED today plugged it in and.............................................no joy. doh
looked at handbrake switch, continuity is fine but i have no voltage there.
does anyone know where the power comes from and if its through the fuse box and if so which one cuz the box lid doesnt mention it. :undecided:
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Are you sure you put the LED on the right way round? Desolder and turn it around, then solder back on.
But you must have a resistor on it, or it will burn out instantly. You need a 470 Ohm resistor soldered to the Anode (the longer leg on the LED denotes the Anode).
This page might help http://www.kpsec.freeuk.com/components/led.htm
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it would be nice if if did blow. at least i would know what to do. it is either already resistored down somewhere else or i have a fault somewhere. the 2 wire off the handbrake switch or both brown so i would think they go to a fuse somewhere as they are different colours at the dash light. :undecided:
i will trace the wires over the weekend and let everyone know incase anyone else needs to sort this problem.
watch this space................................
thanks to everyone whos given me advise. :smiley:
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This might help you trouble shoot your wiring, at least you should prove that works first.
From the Haynes manual for your model (Book 1081 Published 1999) Diagram 43 and 47
The principle is that the bulb (named K7) always has 12V on the BLACK wire when the ignition is on. (But I can't tell where this comes from). Check the BLACK wire has 12V.
The GREY wire is then grounded by either the handbrake switch (F9) or the brake fluid level sensor (F34).
Check using your multimeter on OHMS or CONTINUITY that the GREY wire connects to earth when you pull the handbrake up (with the ignition on).
If you suspect you handbrake switch, you could remove the cap from the brake fluid reservoir with the cable still connected, this should also light the bulb/led.
(http://www.henryford.prodigynet.co.uk/images/Haynes 47 Brake Warning Light.png)
(The fuse on the right is for something else)
The colours might not be exactly the same. One of your handbrake wires might be brown (Meaning always earthed) and the other might be brown with a green stripe (Meaning switched to earth)
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that seem to make sense HRF cheers
you are the bizz, taking time to do the diagram for me.
cheers pal i owe you one.
will let you know. soon