A short in the brake light circuit of your 1996 Jaguar Vanden Plas can cause the brake lights to not work, which is a safety hazard. To locate the short, you will need to use a multimeter and some basic electrical knowledge.
Tools and Materials Needed
* Multimeter
* Test light
* Wire stripper
* Electrical tape
Instructions
1. Turn on the ignition and press the brake pedal. Check to see if the brake lights are working. If they are not, then there is a short in the circuit.
2. Turn off the ignition and disconnect the battery. This will prevent any electrical shock while you are working on the circuit.
3. Locate the brake light fuse box. It is usually located in the engine bay or under the dashboard.
4. Remove the fuse for the brake lights and check it for continuity. If the fuse is blown, then replace it with a new fuse of the same amperage.
5. If the fuse is not blown, then use the multimeter to test the voltage at the fuse socket. There should be 12 volts DC present.
6. If there is no voltage present, then use the multimeter to test the continuity of the wire from the fuse socket to the brake light switch. If there is no continuity, then the wire is broken or there is a bad connection.
7. If there is continuity, then use the multimeter to test the continuity of the wire from the brake light switch to the brake lights. If there is no continuity, then the wire is broken or there is a bad connection.
8. Once you have found the short, repair it by soldering the broken wire or replacing the bad connection.
9. Test the brake lights to make sure that they are working properly.
10. Reconnect the battery.
Tips
* If you are not comfortable working with electrical circuits, then you should consult with a qualified mechanic.
* Be sure to disconnect the battery before working on the brake light circuit to avoid any electrical shock.
* Use the multimeter to test the voltage and continuity of the circuit to find the short.
* Repair the short by soldering the broken wire or replacing the bad connection.
* Test the brake lights to make sure that they are working properly.
