Brake Light circuit short - blows fuse immediately
Thread Starter
Audiworld Junior Member
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
Brake Light circuit short - blows fuse immediately
I picked up a '96 A6 quattro Wagon for a good price because it keeps blowing the brake light fuse any time you step on the brakes. I'm curious as to if this has happened to anyone and where the short may have been because I would love for this car to be street legal since it's winter here in Minnesnowta!
AudiWorld Super User
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 4,038
Likes: 23
From: Honeoye New York USA
If you feel that shift lock solenoid might be the cause, disconnect the solenoid and test. It could be that a wire got pinched when the tail panels were replaced. Follow the wiring harness to the rear and look for damage.
Thread Starter
Audiworld Junior Member
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
I should clarify. When I say tail panels were replaced, I mean the tail light panels/sockets/etc. were replaced on both sides to see if that were the cause. The previous owner had been working on it before he suddenly passed, and the project was left off in shambles. The brake light switch has been removed from the pedal for easier testing, and there are two wires under the dash disconnected, and I do not know what they are for. I have Mitchell1 OnDemand5 so I can check any wiring schematics as needed, but have not figured out where this could be.
Also, the rear fog lamp is blowing the fog lamps fuse as well now. It shares a common ground with the brake lights, if I remember correctly. Do you think that the ground they share could be bad and causing the issues?
Also, the rear fog lamp is blowing the fog lamps fuse as well now. It shares a common ground with the brake lights, if I remember correctly. Do you think that the ground they share could be bad and causing the issues?
AudiWorld Super User
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 4,038
Likes: 23
From: Honeoye New York USA
You have two circuits that are blowing fuses. It sounds more like there is damage to the wiring harness more than before.
Does the schematic show if there is one wire feeding both tails or are there two wires, one running down each side? Same for the rear fogs lights.
Trending Topics
AudiWorld Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 797
Likes: 0
Your issue lies in the boot that travels between the hatch lid and the cars roof. Open that hatch and in the top left is a boot. Remove the black trim peice that boot travels through on the car, and pull the boot back. You WILL find cracked/broken wires. These broken/cracked wires cause the blown fuses, stuck shift solenoid and so forth. Cut the wires, solder them back together with shrink wrap over them and put it back together. It's not fun but is worthwhile to get done. Good luck.
AudiWorld Stories
Bringing Audi to Life for Audi Fans
Top 10 Most Expensive Audis Ever Sold on Bring-A-Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Audi Features & Options We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
Audi Recreates Crazy-Looking Speed Record Breaker From 1935
Verdad Gallardo
Coachbuilder Recreates the 1995 Audi TTS Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Every Audi V10 Car Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
9 Audi Designs That Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
2026 Audi Q5 Buyer's Guide (Every Model Explained)
Brett Foote
Ranking Every Current Audi 'S' Model From Worst to First!
Joe Kucinski
10 Best Audis That are FINALLY LEGAL to Import to the U.S.!
Joe Kucinski
Thread Starter
Audiworld Junior Member
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
Your issue lies in the boot that travels between the hatch lid and the cars roof. Open that hatch and in the top left is a boot. Remove the black trim peice that boot travels through on the car, and pull the boot back. You WILL find cracked/broken wires. These broken/cracked wires cause the blown fuses, stuck shift solenoid and so forth. Cut the wires, solder them back together with shrink wrap over them and put it back together. It's not fun but is worthwhile to get done. Good luck.
AudiWorld Super User
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 4,038
Likes: 23
From: Honeoye New York USA
Osseo: you may be better off using new wires. When I worked on the Jeep, I had one splice on the body side and another splice in the hatch.
You want plenty of slack and stagger the joints so you don't have a big lump at the repaired area.
You might want to isolate the wires and see if the fuses still blow before you tie it all back together.