Contents: Sound signal and hazard warning… ↳ Emergency alarm system ↳ Direction indicators ↳ Brake lights ↳ Checking the brake light ↳ Checking the sound signal ↳
Your Focus's signalling equipment is an important tool for reliably informing other road users of your driving intentions. For example, if you want to change direction, you turn on the turn signal; when you press the brake pedal, the brake lights warn those behind you. Before you move the car beyond a closed space, you momentarily activate the light signal. But your car has other signalling equipment too.
Sound signal and hazard warning lights are mandatory in public road traffic
The procedure for permitting rolling stock to move on roads and streets (StVZO) requires that every vehicle has a horn. In addition, legislators insist on hazard warning lights that can protect your parked or broken-down vehicle in an emergency. Since the hazard warning lights must also work when the ignition is off, they are protected by a short-circuit fuse and are connected directly to the battery's electrical circuit. In contrast, turn signals only receive current when the ignition is on. You must check the signaling equipment before each trip.
Emergency alarm system
with the ignition off, press the hazard warning light switch. All six turn signals and the indicator light in the switch should flash in the same rhythm.
Direction indicators
turn on the ignition, press the turn signal lever. The corresponding turn signals should flash in the same rhythm, as well as the turn signal indicator light in the instrument panel.
Brake lights
park the car with its back to the wall, press the brake pedal - the wall reflects the brake lights. The same thing happens if the car is in a column of cars. Check by looking in the rearview mirror whether your burning brake lights are reflected in the headlights or in the paintwork of the car behind you.
Checking the brake light
If all three brake lights are not lit, make sure that their switch is in good condition. It is located in the passenger compartment on the brake pedal support bracket. When you press the brake pedal, a pin extends from the switch housing. The contacts in the switch close and pass current to the brake lights. Check the switch by disconnecting the current-supplying wires and placing them next to each other - if the switch is faulty, the brake lights will now light.
Checking the sound signal
The horn contact in the steering wheel is live. If the horn is silent, first check if there is voltage. If so, have your assistant press the horn and check the wire connection directly on the horn (on the left in the direction of travel behind the bumper). If there is voltage, install a new horn.