High Level Brake light Replacement - Autosleeper

[Thornebt]

Passed the MOT this morning but an advisory was that some of the LEDs are not working on the high level brake light. I have removed the two fixing screws but can only pull the fitting out by less than half inch. I tried to get to it from inside the end bathroom by removing the mirror but it's above ceiling level.

The light is a sealed unit. How am I supposed to disconnect it and replace it? It seems a daft design!

 

[berni109]

Not the same van or fitting but to get my high-level light out on a pvc took a considerable amount of brute force.
Just held in by a sturdy metal clip each side.
Hth.

 

[raysalaugh]

There will only be the wires and silicone holding it in, what make is it?.
Have you got a replacement?.

 

[Thornebt]

It just has two screws holding it in. No silicone. I've removed the screws but then only have about half an inch of cable. I don't want to pull on the cable too hard! The nearest thing to a brand on it looks like a cross on a witches hat but could be an A and an I. Please see photo.

Edit: photo is rubbish but logo is to right of screw.

 

[BobJayne]

I had the same on last years mot, a few leds out.
This year it wasn't mentioned as an advisory!
I was going to fit something like THIS but never got round to it.

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[Thornebt]

I had the same on last years mot, a few leds out.
This year it wasn't mentioned as an advisory!
I was going to fit something like THIS but never got round to it.

I've found a couple of similar units on eBay for less than a tenner but I've got so little cable to make any connections! Unless I pull on it harder!

 

[BobJayne]

I've found a couple of similar units on eBay for less than a tenner but I've got so little cable to make any connections! Unless I pull on it harder!

Would there be room to join a bit more cable on to what is sticking out?

 

[raysalaugh]

Well it had to go in that way, have you measured the width and height?.
This one is 25cm x 3cm.Ankia brand.

 

[Thornebt]

Would there be room to join a bit more cable on to what is sticking out?

It would be very awkward making a connection with just half an inch of cable.

 

[Thornebt]

Well it had to go in that way, have you measured the width and height?.
This one is 25cm x 3cm.Ankia brand.
View attachment 990581

Thank you. That looks identical and there is an A in the logo on my unit so it must be Ankia. Is it an eBay item?

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[fishplug]

It would be very awkward making a connection with just half an inch of cable.

In-line Wago connectors might help if you need to go down that route.

 

[raysalaugh]

Thank you. That looks identical and there is an A in the logo on my unit so it must be Ankia. Is it an eBay item?

Found it on Amazon £16.50.

 

[Thornebt]

I emailed Autosleeper but they weren't any help. I suspect that when they build these vans they just fix all the wiring in place and then fit the insulation, trapping the wiring as they don't give any consideration to the high level brake light ever needing to be replaced.

Does anyone know if the third brake light is wired to one of the normal brake light fittings or if it's a separate wire from the front of the van?

I think the way forward will probably be to crimp the new fitting wires to the half inch of cable that is accessible.

 

[Thornebt]

I emailed Autosleeper but they weren't any help. I suspect that when they build these vans they just fix all the wiring in place and then fit the insulation, trapping the wiring as they don't give any consideration to the high level brake light ever needing to be replaced.

Does anyone know if the third brake light is wired to one of the normal brake light fittings or if it's a separate wire from the front of the van?

I think the way forward will probably be to crimp the new fitting wires to the half inch of cable that is accessible.

It's just occurred to me that I might have more than half an inch of cable available if I break the old brake light apart.