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  #1  
Old 04-03-2009, 02:27 PM
Promise4M Promise4M is offline
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Stop Lamp???

I have had my car for a while now but only now has the Stop Lamp (!) light started coming up on my dash when i brake. What does this light mean and why did it only start coming on now???
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  #2  
Old 04-03-2009, 02:38 PM
Francis Francis is offline
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Re: Stop Lamp???

isnt it one of your brake light burnt ?
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  #3  
Old 04-03-2009, 02:52 PM
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Re: Stop Lamp???

It means that the brake fluid level is low, which will happen when the pads wear down past half way (or if you've lost fluid due to a leak).

Added: Oops. Wrong warning lamp. Ignore this.
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Last edited by SVXdc; 04-04-2009 at 12:30 AM.
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  #4  
Old 04-03-2009, 06:51 PM
NiftySVX NiftySVX is offline
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Re: Stop Lamp???

"Stop Lamp" means one of the tail lights has excessive resistance in the circuit (usually a burnt out bulb filament) it only illuminates when the brake lights are on. A low fluid level would cause the (!) BRAKE light to illuminate.
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  #5  
Old 04-03-2009, 08:49 PM
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Re: Stop Lamp???

Quote:
Originally Posted by SVXdc View Post
It means that the brake fluid level is low...
That's an electrical impossibility.
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  #6  
Old 04-03-2009, 10:10 PM
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Re: Stop Lamp???

Its just a brake light that is dying... but not dead.

The easiest thing to do is buy 4 new brake light bulbs and replace them all at the same time. That way the amperage matches and the "stop lamp checker" (which controls that light on the instrument panel) will be happy.

The stop lamp checker uses the amperage difference between the trunk panel and the two body-mounted stop lights to determine if a bulb is bad. Very similar design to a GFCI outlet in your house.

The stop lamp checker works by separating the stop lamps into two circuits, each with two bulbs. The two center panel lights are one circuit and the two outside lights are the other.

The two circuits each go into a sensor and each current draw is measured. If it is not in balance (ie, one circuit has two bulbs, the other only has one working) the stop lamp on the dash triggers.

The manual tells you the only "fooled" instance. If one bulb from the center panel is burned out and one bulb on an outer light is burned out, the indicator will not come on.

It has a fail-safe so if all four bulbs are burned out (zero current flow) it triggers the light.

If you put higher wattage bulbs in the center panel but regular bulbs in the outer lights, it will trigger an indicator even though all four bulbs light.

If you have unmatched wattage bulbs, the difference in amperage can be enough to trigger the checker even if all four bulbs work.

Bulbs are dirt cheap so when I have one go out, I replace all four with the same.

.
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JFICX8659TH100216.....Date of Manufacture: November 16, 1995.....
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"The Pristine Green Polo Machine”
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R.I.P. 2010 Subaru Outback Limited 2.5 CVT...338,000 miles. Totaled by a 1,300 lb. COW March 4, 2016

2014 Hyundai Avante Limited ...178,000 miles. Actually quieter and smoother than the Outback

2007 Mazda Miata MX-5 PRHT...102,000 miles.
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  #7  
Old 04-03-2009, 11:19 PM
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Re: Stop Lamp???

Quote:
Originally Posted by LetItSnow View Post
That's an electrical impossibility.
But definitely a "fluid" possibility!

Keith
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  #8  
Old 04-03-2009, 11:22 PM
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Re: Stop Lamp???

Additionally, the brake stop light sensor can be defective and often is.
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  #9  
Old 04-04-2009, 01:34 AM
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Re: Stop Lamp???

Sorry, I misread the original post.

It's been a long time since I read the owners manual .

I've never seen the Stop lamp in operation (I don't even recall seeing it when first turning on the ignition).

For that matter, I've never had any of my marker, turn, or brake bulbs burn out. I think the low-beam headlights are the only exterior bulbs I've had to replace (and I've had the car since new).

Quote:
Originally Posted by svxcess View Post
The stop lamp checker uses the amperage difference between the trunk panel and the two body-mounted stop lights to determine if a bulb is bad. Very similar design to a GFCI outlet in your house.
...
Well, either the wiring diagrams are wrong (I wouldn't be surprised), or they changed the circuit.

The diagrams I have (I just checked both 92 and 96) show all four brake light bulbs plus the center "high mount" wired in parallel, with one side tied to ground and the other going into (and getting the +12V from) the Stop lamp checker module. That would imply that the module looks at the total current draw, and turns on the "Stop" warning lamp when the current goes lower or higher than some range it thinks is normal.

The diagrams show the module connects via a 4-pin plug (+12V in from brake pedal switch, control output to Stop warning bulb, ground, and +12 out to brake lights).
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  #10  
Old 04-04-2009, 08:39 AM
NiftySVX NiftySVX is offline
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Re: Stop Lamp???

I've always found the easiest way to explain it is a fault of excessive resistance, even though it's not technically correct. I've seen problems with these on some of the older Toyotas, and we would do exactly what was suggested, just replace all the bulbs and usually it would fix it, even if one didn't appear to be out. But I have also had to clean and replace bulb sockets to get the light to go off. I don't remember anyone having such headaches with one on a SVX though, but I wouldn't doubt it as they get older.

And for the record.I've never seen mine come on either, and I've had my car since 1999.
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  #11  
Old 04-04-2009, 09:28 AM
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Re: Stop Lamp???

not sure but I think the stop light and brake fluid light are 2 different animals. I just woke up

One way to check the brake lights would get someone to push the petal and walk around the car and see if they are working.

My stop lamp module has not worked for a year. Someone said maybe moisture.. It is supposed to be in the trunk Maybe later, I just started waking up

Keith
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  #12  
Old 04-04-2009, 09:35 AM
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Re: Stop Lamp???

^^ That's the way it's described elsewhere in the forum. I've had mine fail and heal twice in two years.
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  #13  
Old 04-04-2009, 11:48 AM
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Re: Stop Lamp???

Quote:
Originally Posted by kwren View Post
not sure but I think the stop light and brake fluid light are 2 different animals.
OK, OK, I already said I was wrong. Quit rubbing it in, will ya?

Quote:
[The stop lamp module] is supposed to be in the trunk
Yes. It's on the right side, just off the front end of the rear washer fluid reservoir. In this picture, you can see the harness poking up from behind the body/frame (I've pulled back the trunk's side cover panel):

(click for larger image)
Mine has a harness with four wires, just like the wiring diagrams say. I'll verify what each wire does a little later.
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  #14  
Old 04-04-2009, 12:54 PM
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Re: Stop Lamp???

The design and mounting is such that if water gets into this area the checker relay acts as a reservoir to collect and hold water. This was my problem on my 92 pearlie. My suby dealer disconnected it up at the front passenger's kick panel (B99 connector).

To avoid this problem from ever occuring again, he one in my polo has been shrink-wrapped in clear plastic by my local printer and totally protected from moisture.

Relay replacement is a simple 1 plug/1 screw operation. Part No. 88081PA000 Cost of the part is about $33.00


.
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1996 Polo Green LSi #216..138,100 miles...SOLD

JFICX8659TH100216.....Date of Manufacture: November 16, 1995.....
Fuji Heavy Industries..Ōta North Plant....Ōta City,. Gunma Prefecture, Japan

In-Service Date: January 2, 1997



"The Pristine Green Polo Machine”
First Polo Green on the Network
First Clear front turn signals, JDM Alcyone hood emblem, rear panel, and BOXER engine cover on the Network (US) (2000)
First 5000K HID factory fog lights (2007)
First SVX JDM BBS wheels on a USDM SVX (2013)

HID lighting (5000K) for headlight and H3 fog lights, PIAA SuperExtreme 120W high beams, rebuilt EG33 longblock, Cometic head gaskets, Phase II flexplate, AMR aluminum radiator with custom silicone hoses, 160A high-output alternator in aluminum-ceramic coated case, new design alternator wiring upgrade v.4, rare factory headlight protectors, refinished JDM BBS mesh aluminum wheels and custom, polished billet aluminum new hex center caps, LED grille mod, R1 Concepts high-carbon cryo slotted rotors, Akebono ceramic pads, Goodridge S/S braided brake lines, Smallcar Stage 1 shift kit, ThermalTech aluminum/ceramic-coated valve covers, Energy Suspension urethane front & rear swaybar bushings, Bontrager22 rear swaybar with QS Components Chromoly Teflon/Kevlar endlinks, "$15.00/5 minute" suspension mod. Hella Supertone horns, Custom stainless steel exhaust system with 2" headpipes, Magnaflow cats, AeroTurbine AR25 resonator /AWD "Bullet" muffler.


R.I.P. 2010 Subaru Outback Limited 2.5 CVT...338,000 miles. Totaled by a 1,300 lb. COW March 4, 2016

2014 Hyundai Avante Limited ...178,000 miles. Actually quieter and smoother than the Outback

2007 Mazda Miata MX-5 PRHT...102,000 miles.
Plenty of parts, service and windshields.


4th Registered Network member —2/21/2001

My NEW locker..I...My Email..I..Wikipedia/SVX .

.
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  #15  
Old 04-04-2009, 02:49 PM
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Re: Stop Lamp???

Quote:
Originally Posted by SVXdc View Post
OK, OK, I already said I was wrong. Quit rubbing it in, will ya?
Sorry... I was still asleep and don't even remember the incident!


Keith
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