Both rear tail lights not working

[crackedfinger]

On a 96 grif 500, the tail lights were intermittently working, and now they don't work at all. The brake lights, fog, reverse and indicators do. All the front lights work too.

I have checked with a multimeter and the terminals are as dead as a dodo. (Bulbs are fine too - even tried new ones)

Secondly - IF this could be related - since owning the car the little headlight indicator that lights up has always flashed randomly, i have never worried about it before as everything was working fine .......

Any hints on where to look first would be appreciated!

Thanks.

[griffter]

There's a multi-pin connector behind the carpet aft of the door, on the passenger side. I think this feeds the rear lights - might be worth a check.

[FlipFlopGriff]

Could be an earthing issue. Not sure where the lights are earthed though.
FFG

[griffsmith]

griffter said:

There's a multi-pin connector behind the carpet aft of the door, on the passenger side. I think this feeds the rear lights - might be worth a check.

seconded.. I think this is also used for earthing connections as well.. its not hard to find push the passenger seat fully forward and as Griffter says its in the B pillar behind the carpet.. check here with your multi meter..

[crackedfinger]

griffsmith said:

griffter said: There's a multi-pin connector behind the carpet aft of the door, on the passenger side. I think this feeds the rear lights - might be worth a check. seconded.. I think this is also used for earthing connections as well.. its not hard to find push the passenger seat fully forward and as Griffter says its in the B pillar behind the carpet.. check here with your multi meter..

Thanks for the tip - will prod around there this evening.

[crackedfinger]

Checked the terminals (great access to these, quite a surprise), but it did not work.

But I now have noticed that none of the sidelights/ tailights are actually not working. The only thing that lights up when selecting the 1st button is the dashboard. Fog and dipped lights are still working.

What would be a common failure for this? (not sure if these lights are fused or not)

[shadowfax]

Use your manual and check all the the fuses

[crackedfinger]

shadowfax said:

Use your manual and check all the the fuses

Thanks for that, As the manual I have does not mention the sidelights I have tested all the fuses in the fuse box (well i suppose it is more of a fuse board)

Every fuse checked out OK

What else would be a common faliuse for that circuit - does it have a common earth?

I do find it a bit odd that the dashboard lighs up though, that would iindicate that the failure is after the junction with that circuit - would anyone happen to know where that is?

Thanks for any pointer.

[griffsmith]

crackedfinger said:

shadowfax said: Use your manual and check all the the fuses Thanks for that, As the manual I have does not mention the sidelights I have tested all the fuses in the fuse box (well i suppose it is more of a fuse board) Every fuse checked out OK What else would be a common faliuse for that circuit - does it have a common earth? I do find it a bit odd that the dashboard lighs up though, that would iindicate that the failure is after the junction with that circuit - would anyone happen to know where that is? Thanks for any pointer.

don't presume that just cos the dash lights work the switch is ok, these lights could be on a seperate circuit to the side lights themselves... Can you give a run down of what works a what doesn't first dash switch dashlights on? sidelights frt/rr ?? and so on...
Sorry been drinking (six nations success.. ha ha to the whales!!) so I'm sticking my neck out and putting my money on the switch myself.. living on the edge thats just what i doo!!

[shadowfax]

I'm stumped, Old Bean.

PS Why is Desperate Dan stood there, large as life, in my last post? I am an ad free zone

[2 sMoKiN bArReLs]

I don't suppose it's a spooky concidence & the bulbs have gone? Have you tried one fresh bulb just to eliminate this?

[crackedfinger]

2 sMoKiN bArReLs said:

I don't suppose it's a spooky concidence & the bulbs have gone? Have you tried one fresh bulb just to eliminate this?

Checked the bulbs too (well the rear ones only as they are quicker to check) and there were fine.

Annoying thing is that the lights are all working again, seemed to have fixed themselves for now. Was about to take the dash out to check the connections of the switch too. Will haev to wait until they stop working again to find the fault. Tricky little gremlin this one.