Defender Brake Light Mystery: Bulb or Signal Issue?

Hey there! I had a similar issue with my 2019 Land Rover Discovery Hybrid last month. Initially thought it was just a bulb, but turned out to be more complex. The brake light control module was malfunctioning due to a wiring harness issue. Had it diagnosed at the garage, they found corroded connectors in the wiring system that were interrupting the signals. Since Land Rovers have an integrated electronic brake system, these symptoms shouldn't be ignored. In my case, it eventually affected the brake controller signals. The fix required replacing the wiring harness and recalibrating the brake light module. It was definitely a serious electrical issue that needed professional attention. Don't take chances with brake-related problems. Would suggest getting it checked by an authorized Land Rover service center, as they'll have the right diagnostic tools for these newer hybrid models. Best of luck!

Hey, thanks for sharing your experience! That sounds exactly like what I'm dealing with. Really helpful to know it was the wiring harness in your case, makes me feel better about not just replacing the bulb and hoping for the best. Do you remember roughly how much the repair set you back? Also, just curious, have you had any other electrical gremlins pop up since getting it fixed?

Hey again! Actually, I've got some good news to share! Since my last reply about my Discovery, I went to get it checked out and I feel a bit silly now. Unlike what I initially thought with the wiring harness, it turned out to be a "Brake light signal implausible" error that was just a personal error! The mechanic fixed it right away and didn't charge me a penny, total cost was 0.00 €! Haven't had any electrical issues since then, which is a huge relief. Sometimes what seems like a complex problem turns out to be something really simple. The brake system has been working perfectly since that visit, and I'm honestly just relieved it wasn't the expensive repair I was worried about. If you're still having issues with yours, might be worth checking if it's something similarly straightforward before assuming the worst. These modern hybrids can be tricky sometimes, but not every problem needs a major repair! Let me know how it goes with yours!

Thanks for sharing that! I actually just got back from the mechanic today and wanted to update everyone. After all my worrying, it turned out to be way simpler than I expected. The technician found a loose connection in the brake light assembly that was causing intermittent signals. They just had to clean the contacts and secure the connection properly. The whole thing took less than an hour and cost me very little. I feel kind of silly now for getting so worked up about it, but honestly, after my last mechanic experience, I was expecting the worst! The brake lights are working perfectly now, and they even did a quick check of the entire lighting system just to be sure. Really appreciate everyone's input on this. It's such a relief when these things turn out to be minor fixes rather than major repairs. My Defender's running great now, and I've found a mechanic I can actually trust, so that's a double win in my book! Take care, everyone!