handbrake warning light

[jase555]

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

[mattneck(Beavis)]

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?

[turbodub]

Have you tested the bulb for a circuit? Did you check the other pole of the connector for a good earth?

[jase555]

hmmmmm...
will have a lookie and get back
ta

[mattneck(Beavis)]

ill see waht i can find in mine as well mate

[VapourTrails]

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.

[turbodub]

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.

[turbodub]

http://www.crazyleds.co.uk/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=114&products_id=521

That is what I'm talking about. NOT cheap however 

[jase555]

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?

[turbodub]

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.