Rear lights out

[Voltaire53]

Driving back from Bristol last night I got about 2/3 of the way home to Portsmouth and suddenly quite a few people started flashing their lights at me.
When I got back I discovered this wasn't appreciation or desiring a race (!) but to inform me I had no rear lights.

Being useless at most things car releated, but especially electric (and I still bought a TVR so there!) I've got as far as:

Checking all the other lights - they all seem to work: indicators, hazards, reversing, fog, dipped, main and I suspect most importantly, importantly brake.
Looking at the manual and the Bible (iss. 1) at the fuses sections ... and noting they disagree totally, neither applies to the post-'98 (non-Fiesta) light clusters and neither seemed to say which fuse was for the rear lights anyway!

Because I got so far home before the 'flashing' started I suspect they failed as I was driving (I would hope someone in the 6 mile tailback on the M4 would have noticed and let me know otherwise!) if this is of any help.

So, any help appreciated - fuse? loose wire? where should I start my search?

Thanks in advance.

[Voltaire53]

ribol said:

I am sure this has come up before somewhere. IIRC it turned out to be a bad connection inside the passenger side B pillar (behind the panel above n/s seat belt). The loom joins there and the connections may need a wiggle/clean. Ivan

Thanks. I'll have a look - keep your fingers crossed for me that I don't break anyhing else (me and DIY aren't well matched!).

[Voltaire53]

Incorrigible said:

Possibly a stupid question, but have you checked the bulbs

Actually no (I am going to do this first though!) ... but I thought it unlikely *both* would blow especially since the brakelights (same lamp) are unaffected.

[Voltaire53]

ribol said:

It would be easier to see if the number plate bulbs are working, if they are then Ben may well have proved he could beat the bookies.

This reminds me - as an aside, just what else is on the fuse that the rear lights are on? Is it possible it's a fuse or have I said there's something working that means it can't be?

[Voltaire53]

Incorrigible said:

Number plate light a good idea though (red wire BTW, inc the rears)

Number plate lights are both not working ... so does this help me in any way to point people in the direction of the cause?

[Voltaire53]

ribol said:

Next step check if front side lights are working, if yes then check the bulbs, good chance Ben was right all along. Failing that if the bulbs are ok, next stop B-post.

Front sides are fine - I will check the bulbs of course but both rear lights and both number plate lights failing at once?

crimsonchim said:

The B post connectors can make it do wierd things, very hard to tie down exactly, but not difficult to get at. I'd clean that up just in case.

Whe you say "not difficult to get at" could you expand on that a little ... I had a quick look and couldn't find anything obvious to remove to get at the wiring in there.
Soory, but I'm a total beginner on the mechanical and electircal side of cars ... but I bought a TVR so I'm obviously willing to learn!

[Voltaire53]

Incorrigible said:

If you're still having problems at the weekend and fancy a jaunt over to Sussex, give me a call, I'll be happy to help

Thanks everyone for their help - i'll let you know how it goes!

[Voltaire53]

ribol said:

IIRC it turned out to be a bad connection inside the passenger side B pillar (behind the panel above n/s seat belt). The loom joins there and the connections may need a wiggle/clean. Ivan

Opened up the panel (velcro is a wonderful invention) and took a look - "good grief there are a lot of wires" I pondered as I moved them around to see if any fell loose.
Lo and behold with no more work the rear lights came back on so I was a coward and just shut the panel up again

Cheers for all the help and I'll make sure I have them checked for any loose connections/corrosion at the next service to make sure nothing shakes loose again!

Justin