So the SVA man noticed that when I hit the brakes the side lights come on (as do the instrument lights), very bloody annoying.

So where the best place to start looking - I hate electrical troubleshooting - presumably I've got to have the dash off......

No you don't have to take the dash off. You could lie on your back on the footwell and look underneath the dash.



Sorry i just couldn't resist

I'd start at the back lights. I hate working under my dash.

At a guess, I'd imagine that the wiring at the back is suspect. Sounds like the brake lights are earthing through the feed for the side lights (which in turn are linked to your instrument panel).

HTH

Mike

i guess it could be anywhere really. do the brake lights and sidelights earth to the same point? could be in there!

Get a piece of wire with a croc clip at either end and start at the eaqsy to get to places first. Clip to a good known earth and start clipping the other end to the earths in the back lights, brake lights, indicators etc......
You'll find the fault in the last place you look so you could try looking there first.

start at the rears
bitter experience i had the same

Its the earth on the stop tail bulb, if all else fails run a new good earth to each unit.

When you light the brake lights current is returning via the side light circuit, not so obvious the other way round as the stop lamps will only glow dimly.

take the bulbs out and see if it still does it.

i had an identical problem which turred out to be a wrongly manufactured bulb.

As above ^^^ try new bulb first. Then check the earth from the rear light to the chassis.

adrian

check the bulbs

Thanks chaps, I'll have a go at that tomorrow.