Rear numberplate wiring

[Skyedriver]

Rumaging in the boot tonight, I spotted two red/white wires dangling. My guess is rear number plate light (back lit one) but I thought the number plate was lit the last time I was allowed out after dark..
And I cannot feel anything for these to clip into.
Any clues please

[Skyedriver]

Yes, guess its the number plate light but to be honest I cannot se where they should be reconnected to.
And, I'm beginning to wonder if it has ever been on in my brief ownership and if the rear plate is actually a "see through" one anyway....
What alternatives have people used to light the rear plate when the original fails?
thanks all

[spend]

The rear light looms are quite different from mass-produced cars..... They have wiring for fog & reverse at each side ~ even though the light units are handed, as well as having the extra bit on the loom at each side for the number plate light (YMMV) ~ even though when installed they have the 2 lights chained off the one side (they're just behind the number plate so it requires sealing IIRC).

[Skyedriver]

Yes I think these are the numberplate lights, do you need to remove the number plate to get at the lights?

[s p a c e m a n]

The wiring for the number plate lights is underneath the carpet below the boot lock, if you pull the carpet off and hang upside down you should be able to see the bottom of the two lights that the wires go to. If you remove the number plate then you can take out the two lights with a screwdriver to change the bulbs/fix any broken connectors.

I unplugged the two lights because they are crap and then wired in a smd strip light and stuck it in the middle of the recess behind the plate, it's twice as bright as the pair of original bulbs and illuminates the entire plate rather than just a couple of bits at the bottom of it..

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/White-12V-Waterproof-30C...

[Skyedriver]

s p a c e m a n said:

The wiring for the number plate lights is underneath the carpet below the boot lock, if you pull the carpet off and hang upside down you should be able to see the bottom of the two lights that the wires go to. If you remove the number plate then you can take out the two lights with a screwdriver to change the bulbs/fix any broken connectors.

I unplugged the two lights because they are crap and then wired in a smd strip light and stuck it in the middle of the recess behind the plate, it's twice as bright as the pair of original bulbs and illuminates the entire plate rather than just a couple of bits at the bottom of it..

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/White-12V-Waterproof-30C...

Spaceman, thanks very much, absoutely top idea
They took a while to arrive, I ordered 3 as they were so cheap (and cheaper if you bought 3)
Stuck two up behind the plate.
Spot on idea.

[chimyellow]

The lights are in the bottom of the number plate recess and the bottoms protrude into the boot.
If you feel or even get a mirror and look at the bottom of the bottom of the recess from inside the boot you should be able to see the connectors and bulbs (as someone has already mentioned you may need to move the carpet).
I replaced mine a while back and used Triumph Stag number plate lights so if you want to see what you are dealing with do a google on these.

Ps. stag number plate lights are a LOT cheaper and brighter than ones for a Chimaera

[Skyedriver]

Yes I found the surface mounted festoon bulb crap behind the plate and substituted them with two LED strip lights as per Spaceman. They cost a hell of a lot less than the ones you are talking about, I think it was £3.50 for 3 strips, inc postage

[s p a c e m a n]

Forgot to mention to make sure that however you routed the wires needs to be water tight or you will end up with a puddle inside the boot. I've used a dab of silicone now but when I first fitted them I used some electrical tape and it stayed waterproof for a few months before I did it properly.

[Skyedriver]

Hmmm
there was a wee hole in the underside of the recess, seemed like a drain from somewhere ...........wires are so small they went straight through.
My main concern was the sticky back isn't that sticky, may need a little assistance