GreenGoddess Posted October 18, 2022 Report Share Posted October 18, 2022 When I replaced the brake light switch on my car a few weeks ago, the old switch had this red thing connected to it. The new switch (which looked identical to the old one) didn't come with this red thing so I just fitted it to the car without the red thing and the brake lights now work perfectly. However, at around the same time, the audio sound from my cassette player started playing up (the sound from the radio is still OK). Now I'm wondering if this red thing could possibly have something to do with that. It's probably just a coincidence but I'd be interested to know your opinions. Obviously I could re-attach the red thing to the brake switch to see if that corrects the audio problem but, as you well know, getting at the brake light switch is a total nightmare of a job. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ramjet Posted October 18, 2022 Report Share Posted October 18, 2022 Unless I am mistaken, it is a 1 microFarad capacitor. I am not much of an electrical whizkid. There are others on here that will know far more about it than me. I can't think of any reason that you would want one across a brake switch? Does the audio problem coincide with applying the brake or is it just random? 2 Quote All we know is that when they stop making this, we will be properly, properly sad.Jeremy Clarkson on the Esprit. Opinions are like armpits. Everyone has them, some just stink more than others. For forum issues, please contact one of us Moderators. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Peapod Posted October 18, 2022 Popular Post Report Share Posted October 18, 2022 The capacitor is probably used for noise suppression and quite often across a brake switch as operation of the brakes will sometime cause the audio to buzz when the brake lights are on. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GreenGoddess Posted October 18, 2022 Author Report Share Posted October 18, 2022 Ah, that's interesting. So it COULD have something to do with the audio problem. I'm just puzzled as to why it only affects the sound coming from the cassette player part of the stereo unit. The sound of the radio itself is unaffected. I can't remember if the audio problem changes when I depress the brake pedal. I will try that tonight. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snowrx Posted October 18, 2022 Report Share Posted October 18, 2022 Capacitors (condenser) were used to help prevent arcing across the contacts of ignition points, maybe someone was trying to keep from ever replacing their brake switch? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GreenGoddess Posted October 18, 2022 Author Report Share Posted October 18, 2022 2 hours ago, snowrx said: Capacitors (condenser) were used to help prevent arcing across the contacts of ignition points, maybe someone was trying to keep from ever replacing their brake switch? Well it didn’t work 😂. The brake switch was toast. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drdoom Posted October 18, 2022 Report Share Posted October 18, 2022 As I understand this it's a capacitor for the purpose of electrical noise suppression. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GreenGoddess Posted October 19, 2022 Author Report Share Posted October 19, 2022 I suppose it would be easier to remove the stereo unit and test it on a bench with a pair of speakers, rather than go to the hassle of removing the brake light switch. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
viz139 Posted November 2, 2022 Report Share Posted November 2, 2022 Capacitors are used for both radio interference suppression and arc prevention in switches. In audio systems the capacitor is generally found in the radio supply cables or around the ignition system ,the most common source of interference. It looks to me that your car may have an on going problem with burning out brake light switches and a previous owner may have fitted it to help prolong the life of the switch ( which has failed again). It sounds like an overload on the brake light circuit or poor quality switches. Check the wattage and voltage of your brake bulbs and by any chance has a third ( high level) brake light been added? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GreenGoddess Posted November 2, 2022 Author Report Share Posted November 2, 2022 Thanks Viz. That’s very helpful. The car doesn’t have an additional brake light fitted but I will check the wattage of the brake lights. Would changing the brake light bulbs to LED bulbs reduce the load on the switch? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
viz139 Posted November 2, 2022 Report Share Posted November 2, 2022 LEDs do use much less current and so create less of an arc. If the bulbs are ok , I don't think Brake light switches are an issue with Esprits so just using a better quality one may solve the issue. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GreenGoddess Posted November 2, 2022 Author Report Share Posted November 2, 2022 Thank you. I don’t think there is any alternative switch. The new switch was purchased from SJ Sportscars so it’s almost certainly a good quality one. In any case, I will keep an eye on it. Thanks again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisJ Posted November 2, 2022 Report Share Posted November 2, 2022 I changed my rear brake lights to LED a few years back - a straight replacement, bought from Amazon. Had no issues. No longer available - but this is the link VANSSI BAY15d 1157 LED 21-SMD High Power Dual Beam LED Tail Stop Brake Lights Bulb - RED (Pack of 2) : Amazon.co.uk: Automotive 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drdoom Posted November 2, 2022 Report Share Posted November 2, 2022 I can vouch for the 1st generation series of the Philips bulbs seen at link attached. Very intense and strongly coloured light, though requiring some adaptation to mate with the Rover sourced taillamp housing due to the single LED light source. Cheers https://www.powerbulbs.com/ca/product/philips-x-tremeultinon-led-gen2-py21w-twin 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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