No Brake Lights - Melted Wire

[litg8r2001]

After the brake lights went out, I checked the bulbs and fuse. The bulbs were OK, but the fuse was blown. I replaced the fuse and installed a new brake light switch. However, the brake lights still did not work and the fuse was blown again. Took the Boxster to the dealer today. Was just told they found a wire under the dash (the wire originated from the relay box and went up the A pillar) that was melted through for several inches. I am going to the dealer later to find out which relay the wire originates from.

Searched the boards but did not find anything similar to this problem. Has anyone ever encountered this situation? If so, what could be the cause/solution?

Thanks in advance!

2001 Boxster 2.7

5-speed

70K

[pk2]

After the brake lights went out, I checked the bulbs and fuse. The bulbs were OK, but the fuse was blown. I replaced the fuse and installed a new brake light switch....a wire under the dash (the wire originated from the relay box and went up the A pillar) that was melted through for several inches. I am going to the dealer later to find out which relay the wire originates from...

2001 Boxster 2.7

5-speed

70K

The only wires going up the "a" pillar I can think of are for the center interior light and top lock micro switch. Either one should be checked but I don't see how this would affect the brake light, but check to see if they don't share a fuse (unlikely). Weird that it would cook a wire before it blew a fuse. Might just disconnect or cut that wire, replace fuse and see if stops blowing the fuse.

Regards, PK

[Loren]

Ok, I am very confused here.

On a MY01 Boxster the brake lights do not go through a relay.

On a MY01 Boxster the only thing on fuse B7 besides the brake lights is cruise control - neither of which run up the A pillar.

Perhaps something else is shorting out the brake light wires?

Exactly what fuse blew?

[litg8r2001]

Ok, I am very confused here.

On a MY01 Boxster the brake lights do not go through a relay.

On a MY01 Boxster the only thing on fuse B7 besides the brake lights is cruise control - neither of which run up the A pillar.

Perhaps something else is shorting out the brake light wires?

Exactly what fuse blew?

The B7 fuse was blowing, there were no brake lights and no cruise control. Turns out the service manager was wrong about a wire going up the A pillar - that didn't sound right to me either. I talked to the master service tech who said he traced the problem to the wire between the fuse box and the clutch switch (the same circuit as the brake light switch and cruise control). After he replaced that entire wire run, the B7 fuse is good, the brake lights work and the cruise control indicator lights up when the button on the stalk is pushed on. However, the cruise control itself does not work, but that is a different issue. It took the tech 8 hours of labor time to remove the melted wire and install a new wire. After thinking about it, I bet a prior owner tried splicing into that line to hook up a radar detector or other device, the splice point wasn't fully covered and began to heat-up which melted the insulation which eventually resulted in the circuit grounding itself on some metal somewhere up in the dash. Anyway, my first Porsche service visit was $1100.00 (ouch). But, they did refund me the cost of the brake light switch I purchased last week!