mpesik

Hi there. Could someone tell me if not having the licence plate lights hooked up will result in the exclamation warning going on everytime I step on the brakes.All other lights appear to be super. ThanX. Mike.

Joe '87 S4

I could be wrong but my understanding is that the "!" light will only come on at the same time another light in the pod that tells you exactly what the problem is comes on. I think the only other time the "!" lights up is with the buzzer sounding and ALL the warning lights come on. I've had that happen and it's not a pretty sight. Look closely at your warning lights to see if some other warning is illuminated at the same time as the "!" light. Also, one of your warning light bulbs in the pod could be out so it could be warning you of something else and not your license plate lights. One other thing to check is if one of your brake lights is really the problem. I'm having that light come on some times when I step on the brakes.

mpesik

Hello Joe 87S4 -when I step on the brakes I also get the STOP LAMP WARNING. Bulbs fine, same brand. Are the plate lights bussed to the central warning computer? Thanks for any help. Mike.

John Speake

Mike,
First check if they are both working OK. Then csrefully check they are the same wattage, the system works on current imbalance to trigger the warning.

Joe '87 S4

That's what I'm getting - an intermittent "Stop Lamp" warning. It started when someone cut me off and I had to slam on the brakes. Now it only shows up every once in a while so I have a short some where. I don't know if the plate lights are wired to the warning sensor. I wouldn't think so considering it's a minor feature. You probably have the same problem as me, a short in the brake light system. Hopefully someone on the board who has fixed the same problem already will add their expertise.

John Struthers

I checked mine out as well when someone posted the license plate light fix as a cure for my long running taillight/brakelight warn problem.
Who knows? It might work for you but it didn't work for me.
Since I have traced every damned wire front to rear, cleaned EVERY ground
,including individual speaker grounds and tracked individual wires splitting the looms and inspecting every bulkhead/panel/door passthru.
In my opinion its a problem with the Lamp Control Unit LCU-which I have replaced twice, no joy- or the brake pressure switch -two on my 82' at the MC.
I wish you a quick cure, some folks say the Battery disconnect trick worked for them, give it a try.
As for me my next trick is the Vacuum reservior, MC, and dual switch replacement. Failing that I'll get off my butt and bypass the LCU altogether.
Since my 82' doesn't have the tension warn and everything else should be caught on a pre-flight I won't miss that piece of crap no how.

SharkSkin

Guys, if you find yourself tearing your hair out over an electrical gremlin, I suggest you set aside a six-pack and an afternoon, roll up your sleeves, and go after the fuse panel.

mpesik

Hi Mr. Sharkskin you've got a very slick site. In conclusion to your work on the fuse panel.YOU ARE A VERY BRAVE MAN! Someday I'll aspire to do that but it'll take a hell of a lot more than a 6 pack. Mike.

SharkSkin

Mike, really, it's not bad at all. Just pull one wire at a time and you can't go wrong. Don't let it intimidate you, it's just a hunk of plastic with some copper and brass bits!

BTW, thanks for the compliment.

Big Dave

I stopped getting warnings after fixing my license plate lights, but the warnings only occurred when the lights were turned on, not with each press of the brakes.

mpesik

Question:I am idling at a stop light and supposedly someone would steal my licence plate lights before the light changes to green. Would the exclamation symbol on the console light up or not. Mike.