I got the warning that my right rear brake light was not working, and it wasn't.

It was the upper bulb and I could not get a good enough grip on it to turn it counter clockwise to remove the carrier from the socket. I ended up removing the trim to give me extra room. I got the carrier out and the bulb tested good. I burnished the contacts (outside and in) and put some dielectric grease on the contact points and reinstalled.

It lasted two days then I got the message again about a blown right rear break light. I was able to remove the carrier this time because of the grease. I checked the bulb and it is good. I have continuity through the carrier so I turn the car on and wedge an ax handle and verify I have +12 volts at the contacts - it checks out. I put the bulb back in and the car is happy again.

Is this a warning that wiring issues are going to start or a one off that is now fixed? I have about 33k miles on the 2012 now.

 

Remove the hatch trim and check the connections at the license plate light module. If the outer hatch handle has a water leak those connections will corrode and affect the license, third brake light and others at the rear of the car.

 

I had the blown light warning come on again and I removed the suspect blown bulb and ohmed it out and the bulb is good. The idiot light stayed off for 3 or 4 days and then came back on. I checked the bulb and there is no problem with the bulb - that was 3 days ago. Last night the blown bulb warning came on again - same story, no problem with bulb but it will not light up.

I carried it to the dealer this morning. It is still under warranty and I do not like chasing intermittent wiring problems in a English made car (I do not have any smoke to re-inject into the wiring). They checked the stored codes and I had fault codes 00A8B3, 00A0B0B, and 00A8B7 that they cleared. The dealer replaced the burnt rear tail light circuit board # 90158 and replaced the rear light panel # 632010. All is well once again.

While it was there they replaced the cabin air filter and did the brake fluid service. The only down side is that it did not get washed as the car wash is frozen.

 

its most likely the circuit board for the brake lights. they tend to melt over time and don't get the best contact, they work off and on.

 

sorry just read you last post

 

You need this AA (a British roadside assistance outfit) mechanic to help you:

Mechanic wins innovation award after fixing a Land Rover...with a potato

 

Many years ago I had a Triumph Spitfire. The most important service item I had was: