I have a no brake light problem on the right and left side due to the infamous BC1 problem on a 2006 MCS. The third brake lights is working fine and so with the rest of the lights (back-up, tail, headlamps, turn signal.

I planning on doing a workaround by jumping the left and right brake lights with the third brake light. I will also change the brake/tail lamps to LED for lower power consumption thereby not overloading the third brake light circuit. I know I will have to replace the BC1 eventually, but I think this workaround is a quick short term solution.

For those that have implemented this workaround, I would like to ask what would be the best way to accomplish this workaround. Should I jump it at the rear end closest to the brake lights? Or should I jump at the BC1 connectors at the passenger foot well? I reviewed the wiring diagram at the BC1 connectors and it appears to be doable. Not sure physically though as I have not opened up the area where the BC1 is.

Before implementing this workaround, I will try and open up the BC1 and dos some cleanup including the connectors to see if I can resolve the problem.

Your inputs would be highly appreciated.

 

I wouldn't jumper to the 3rd brake light, since it's LED and on a circuit designed for low power. Instead I'd jumper between the working and non-working left/right sides.

The wiring harness for the rear lights runs down the right side of the car and is accessible from the side access panel in the luggage compartment. If you can find the two brake wires, you'll only need a short wire jumper between them.

Edit: oops, scratch that. I was reading too quickly and thought only one side was out.

 

Banyan,

Did you ever solve this? Having the same problem on my 2006 non-S. Bulbs are good, all grounds and BCM connectors have been jiggled, BCM seems dry, fuses are good, center brake light works.

This is a huge safety problem, I've seen so many cars get recalled for less.

 

it turned out to be 2 busted tail lamps in my case. It was probably a rare case of both left and right busted at the same time but I suspect one probably was busted first without me noticing it.

 

Thats rare they would go at the same time, glad it was not the BCM.

 

Ouch...
If you back I to a garage or parking space against a wall....you can usually see a bit of reflection to check you tail lights....and they get brighter as you touch and release the pedal...easy check without needing a helper. Yeah....having 2 burnt out tail lights at the same time....ouch....on a couple cars in the past I have usually changed both taillights when one fails....I have usually found unless they failed very early, they both fail within 3-4 months...
Then again, it seems like half the Toyota Prius's I see have a light out ....guess the owners don't like to change bulbs or check...

 

adding some bulb lubricant to my running lights helped with moisture

 

My daughters 2005 MINI had a brake light burn out so I replaced both and also the turn signal bulbs. They look like new versions of the old 1157 (double filament) and 1156 (single filament) bulbs from the 1960's. I used bulb grease and it took about 15 minutes. The toughest part was feeding the bulb carrier assembly back in past wires and sheet metal.


Yikes! With the creepy "guy gets shot for a burnt tail light bulb" in the news, I thought it was time to take care of her lights. Bad daddy for needing something like that to fix her car. :(