Brake light warning system fault

[eco-M]

Hello,

I have a 2013 Leon with "Full" LED lights (except front fogs) and have 2 errors. The dashboard/console tells me there is a problem with the light system. The fault code
says there is a problem with the 3rd brake light (code: 11274)

There are no problems with the actual light, all the LED's are working. I have taken the boot lining off and un-plugged and re-plugged the light, hoping it was just a dodgy connection. Didn't help.

A local independent garage has also looked at it, can't find any problem and said there is a software update available from Seat. I've contacted 2 local Seat dealers, one said they don't know and will need to look at the car itself (not just query the VIN in their system) and the other hasn't responded.

The fault code comes back after clearing. I also have had fault codes for the fuel filler cap and boot catch, but experienced no problems with them. All 3 codes are in the "Komfort" module, so possibly related.

Does anyone else know more about this supposed software update and how best to ask for it? Or any other ideas about how to resolve the problem?

Possibly relevant: I live in Germany, and bought the car here, so maybe different updates are offered etc as compared to the UK...

Cheers,
M

 

[black_sheep]

I was about to reply is the car a Hatchback or an ST?

I've had several hatchback 3rd brake lights crack in the vicinity of the rear washer nozzle, which lets in water and causes the LED units to corrode/fail. I've just gone to check my ST as it has a different design, only to see that mine has cracked too!

 

[eco-M]

D'oh!

Mine is a 5dr hatchback. I didn't notice any cracks, but I did think that was an unnecessary complication to put the washer nozzle through the brake light...

I'll try and have a closer look tomorrow, I assume the cracks are visible from the outside, not just once you remove it?

 

[BillyCool]

I was about to reply is the car a Hatchback or an ST?

I've had several hatchback 3rd brake lights crack in the vicinity of the rear washer nozzle, which lets in water and causes the LED units to corrode/fail. I've just gone to check my ST as it has a different design, only to see that mine has cracked too!

Bummer - better check mine as well.

 

[black_sheep]

D'oh!

Mine is a 5dr hatchback. I didn't notice any cracks, but I did think that was an unnecessary complication to put the washer nozzle through the brake light...

I'll try and have a closer look tomorrow, I assume the cracks are visible from the outside, not just once you remove it?

Yes the cracks are obvious without having to remove.

Not too sure if the Cupra lens has a darker tint or if it’s due to the ST design, but not so easy to spot.

Photos from my car here (direction of cracks shown with blue overlay):

 

[eco-M]

Yeah, that's pretty clearly cracked, though the shorter ones are quite fine. Mine looks ok...

I do wonder if there is just an easy way to disable the checking/warning system for that light only - either software or electrically. Will see if I can find a wiring diagram, but would be good if anyone knows if VCDS/OBDEleven can bypass it too, without turning off the whole system for all the lights

 

[black_sheep]

The light monitoring is usually reliable when indicating that something is failing in the LED light units.

The other issue might be the rear washer pipe work leaking onto the brake light assembly/connector.


The workshop manuals are here:

Leon Mk3 Official Seat Workshop Manuals Link

Guide now located in the new resources section of the site https://www.seatcupra.net/forums/resources/leon-mk3-official-seat-workshop-manuals-link.24/

www.seatcupra.net

There will be a manual for the electrical items and a second for the circuit monitoring.

In terms of the light monitoring I know that the rear licence plate lamps can be deactivated, but not sure about the others.

 

[martin j.]

I had the high level brake light fail before but had no warning on the dash(2015 Fr) should the warning system be in my car?

 

[millermister]

Hi all I’ve just realised my 3rd brake light isn’t working either,Leon FR 2014.No warning lights on dashboard.I’m assuming this is a sealed unit that needs to be replaced, thanks for any replies in advance

 

[eco-M]

Quite a while has passed, but I wanted to give an update in case it helps anyone else in the future.
Eventually my local garage got the right equipment and software from Seat/VW and did the software upgrade for us. It has been working fine without errors since (over a year now). No hardware changed or fixed, all software.

I don't know any details of what the update did, but I assume it changed how the lights are tested, maybe a voltage/resistance threshold or similar...