Rear Brake Lights

[JimR]

Hello all, I'm trying to chase an electrical problem with my '90 Digi, it drains the battery fairly quickly, about 2 weeks between recharges coming down to every 3 or 4 days now the weather is colder, anywhoo, i noticed today that even with the keys out of the ignition the rear brake lights still operate when the pedal is pushed, is this normal or has mine been 'cowboy' repaired at some point?
If someone could check if theirs does the same or knows it does that would be awesome and another thing to tick off the list. I'm thinking its probably the brush/diode pack on the alternator but can't find where to get a new one. Also, my battery is a type 063, i have been informed it should be a type 065? Anyone confirm/deny this?

Thanks in advance

James

[Agreeable Slick]

063/065 they are roughly the same CCA anyhow.

The brake lights do function with the ignition off as with most cars.

Go to a autofactors and ask for a alternator regulator. £6 tops.

[my white golf]

it could be just a nackerd battery which you could test by drop testing it, but proberly there is a drain somewhere on it, you need to check for a voltage drop on ur battery using an ohms meter before you get an alternator regulator and do you know if its charging to its full efficiency? have you tested it?, it could be something simple like the boot light stayin on.

[Jay]

it could be something simple like the boot light stayin on.

If he's lucky (and like most of us?) the boot light doesn't work 

[rubjonny]

a quick & easy test, pull the -ve lead off the battery when its not in use.  pop it back on and if the battery has still drained then its duff, if not then its probably a volt drain somewhere in the car.  That being said there is always something draining voltage, so its still possible the battery isnt quite dead yet but soon will be 

[JimR]

Cheers for the replies, the voltage is 13.8 when the car is running so the alternator is doing its job to an extent, just not sure how efficiently. Battery is only 7 months old (motorist centre - now defunct so no return  ) so hopefully not that, boot light does work but is definately off. Might just bite the bullet and get a new brush/diode pack and if no joy then a new alternator.

[Agreeable Slick]

Even when the engine is running the alternator will be putting out the right charge regardless of the state of the regulator. It's deceiving like that. Just get it done, it's not as if it's expensive to replace it. Plus only takes what... 3 mins to replace.

[Ben Lessani]

Have a read here and here