TomF

Hi all, I am getting a random check brake lights error nearly constantly this week. The brake lights check out fine and there is no moisture under the carpets. Any thoughts? I may just change out all the bulbs to see if that helps. They haven't been changed under my ownership in nearly 8 years.

Rossi

Check the third brake light, I had this issue when some of the LEDS went dim.

TomF

Thanks Rossi! I didn't think of that. I will check it out tomorrow. All the best.

slavie

As @Rossi said, check third brake light. I have had the same issue for years now - warning comes, warning goes, seemingly with no rhyme or reason. I finally managed to catch it in the act once: couple of third brake light LEDs were off when the warning was being displayed.

If you're up for it, the light can be cut open and LED's re-soldered, then light glued back together. It's just standard, I believe 4-pin LEDs. Otherwise, Porsche will gladly sell you a new light.

Good luck!

TomF

Another great tip. I checked the third brake light and everything was fine, but I didn't check it when the error message was displayed. Stay tuned.

Harry Apps

Just for info, I had a couple of similar warnings last year and started checking everything - nothing found! So, just in case,I charged the battery (CTEK) and everything has been OK since.

TRINITONY

This started happening to me today, so what's the fix. My third brake light is dim, and my right brake light is dimmer than the left one when the pedal is depressed.

edit: Drove a hundred+ miles since ^ post, and warning light didn't raise its ugly head.

TomF

Aghhh! The dreaded check brake light warning keeps popping up regularly. I changed all the bulbs out after cleaning the contact but nothing has changed. The LED third light seems to be fine and consistently bright, even when the error is displayed. The battery is fully charged and there is NO water inside the cabin anywhere. Incidentally, there was no moisure in either of the tail light assemblies, unlike my last CTT.

Anyone have thoughts what to check next? I suppose I can replace the third brake light just in case, but hate wasting $150 if it is not necessary.

slavie

When my "Check Brake Lights" error is on, this is what my 3rd brake light looks like. Had to put a few bricks on the pedal to take a look

TomF

Thanks. I was able to prop the pedal depressed but the LEDs all look fine when the error is occurring. It is interesting, however, that not once yesterday did the error show up. For half the day after I changed out all the bulbs, it persisted. We will see what today brings. I am prepared to replace the LED bar if necessary- the error is seriously annoying!

slavie

Yup, exactly my experience. Sometimes light works, sometimes it doesn't, and same for the error. Doesn't seem to be any particular reason for it.
If I give the third light a good whack, it'll straighten up for a while.
I just need to give in and drop a grand on some Porsche parts to take care of the light and a few other bits and pieces here - alarm module is wonky, headlight washer cover is in Narnia, 2 jack covers are missing... Or maybe I'll take the light apart and redo all the solder joints, who knows.

TomF

Solved! You were correct. This time the error popped up I stopped the car and propped the pedal down, and voila! the third brake light was barely working at all. I'm ordering a new one directly.

Thanks for your assistance!

Ldino21

I had an issue with my 2008 S that the previous owner replaced all the brake lights with LED's this caused me to keep getting the check brake light, replace all 6 bulbs with regular Sylvania 7506 bulbs and this went away!

TomF

An update- I replaced the LED third brake light and so far there are no errors. As an FYI, if you use the Pelican Parts DIY, be aware that there are five screws on a 2009 with the Sport spoiler. Two are hidden under the rubber caps on the outer edges of the spoiler. It took me only 20 minutes to change out the part. Make sure you note where each wire and control unit goes...there are a lot of telematics in there if you have a fully optioned P!G.

TomF

Final update for now- after a whole weekend after the repair, there have been no errors. Clearly, the replacement unit worked.