S2 Rear Lights Fault
Discussion
Hope someone can help me. Reversing, Indicator, tail, fog all work. However, if the brake is operated, all the other lights light up at a low brightness.
I suspect and earth fault - unless anyone has a better idea, but no idea where the earth connection is for the rear light cluster.
Thanks in advance.
Cheers
Dave
I suspect and earth fault - unless anyone has a better idea, but no idea where the earth connection is for the rear light cluster.
Thanks in advance.
Cheers
Dave
Edited by dwhitaker on Sunday 14th August 14:17
Certainly sounds like an earthing problem. The problem with a g.r.p. car body is of course that you cannot have local earths and the earths have to be wired back to the chassis, which means more earth wires and greater distances to the earth point.
If the fault is with ALL the rear lights then we are likely to be looking at the chassis earth. If one side works fine but the other doesnt we are probably looking at the earth wiring to the faulty side.
Lets look at a faulty unit on one side first. The wiring connection block to the Ford lighting units isnt very well secured and can easily come adrift, especially if the boot has been packed carelessly. Simply wiggling it about may be enough to restore the connection but it wont be a long term solution: faulty connections generate heat which either corrodes the connector or damages the plastic housing so the connectors are not held together properly. Look for any signs of a loose or damaged connector and sort it properly. make absolutely sure the connector is in properly and will stay in.
If both sides are faulty it will need a bit more work. On the S all the rear lights are wired from the near side, the wiring harness comes into the boot above and forward of the fuel filler pipe. There are earth wires (black) from the nearside tail light assembly, offside ditto, number plate light, aerial, and on some cars the fuel gauge sender and fuel pump earth wires may also join the harness in the same area. The problem is where do all these wires attach to the chassis! Unfortunately it appears that many are intended to earth to one point, and it is an exposed point and very liable to corrosion. Because of the corrosion the wires at the connection may also corrode and can easy break off. If you havent done some restoration of this earth point then I can assure you it will need doing!
The earth point is on the top tube of the rear nearside of the chassis, top front left of the fuel tank. Access is with the nearside rear wheel off. There is a threaded stud on the chassis. WD40, patience and care! Remove the old connections, clean it all up and examine carefully for corrosion and broken wires. Solder in new connectors if necessary. Use serrated washers if possible. If you have the patience, run a second earth wire from this connection all the way to the offside rear light so you have two routes to get a chassis earth from the lights. Cover your nice new connections with waxoyl or similar.
Let us know what you find out! Good luck.
If the fault is with ALL the rear lights then we are likely to be looking at the chassis earth. If one side works fine but the other doesnt we are probably looking at the earth wiring to the faulty side.
Lets look at a faulty unit on one side first. The wiring connection block to the Ford lighting units isnt very well secured and can easily come adrift, especially if the boot has been packed carelessly. Simply wiggling it about may be enough to restore the connection but it wont be a long term solution: faulty connections generate heat which either corrodes the connector or damages the plastic housing so the connectors are not held together properly. Look for any signs of a loose or damaged connector and sort it properly. make absolutely sure the connector is in properly and will stay in.
If both sides are faulty it will need a bit more work. On the S all the rear lights are wired from the near side, the wiring harness comes into the boot above and forward of the fuel filler pipe. There are earth wires (black) from the nearside tail light assembly, offside ditto, number plate light, aerial, and on some cars the fuel gauge sender and fuel pump earth wires may also join the harness in the same area. The problem is where do all these wires attach to the chassis! Unfortunately it appears that many are intended to earth to one point, and it is an exposed point and very liable to corrosion. Because of the corrosion the wires at the connection may also corrode and can easy break off. If you havent done some restoration of this earth point then I can assure you it will need doing!
The earth point is on the top tube of the rear nearside of the chassis, top front left of the fuel tank. Access is with the nearside rear wheel off. There is a threaded stud on the chassis. WD40, patience and care! Remove the old connections, clean it all up and examine carefully for corrosion and broken wires. Solder in new connectors if necessary. Use serrated washers if possible. If you have the patience, run a second earth wire from this connection all the way to the offside rear light so you have two routes to get a chassis earth from the lights. Cover your nice new connections with waxoyl or similar.
Let us know what you find out! Good luck.
Great suggestions above, however imho it's probably just bad connection between loom and light unit. These were terrible even on the old escorts, both light boards and connectors are available new on eBay.
Some have simply changed the ford connector for a set of narrow spade connectors that fit to the light board to cure the problem once and for all.
Replacing the boards fixed mine but cleaning and aligning the connectors would probably do the trick.
Good luck
Damian S3
Some have simply changed the ford connector for a set of narrow spade connectors that fit to the light board to cure the problem once and for all.
Replacing the boards fixed mine but cleaning and aligning the connectors would probably do the trick.
Good luck
Damian S3
Thanks guys, given that it affects all lights both sides, I'm guessing an earth fault. Cant quite get it straight in my mind how that gives power to the lights, but there you are. 1st step I guess is to measure for volts on the earth pin of the connector when its in operation.
Cheers
Dave
Cheers
Dave
Hi Dave, thanks for clarifying that.
Damians suggestion of rewiring the tail light assembly connections is also worth doing.
One trick that might give you a quick temporary solution: In the bottom of the boot there are two bolts which hold the body to the fuel tank cradle. The cradle should be earthed OK. Try a wire from any of the black wires at the rear light units direct to one of those bolts and see if it helps. I did consider putting an earth there myself but I dont like wires hidden under carpets.
Damians suggestion of rewiring the tail light assembly connections is also worth doing.
One trick that might give you a quick temporary solution: In the bottom of the boot there are two bolts which hold the body to the fuel tank cradle. The cradle should be earthed OK. Try a wire from any of the black wires at the rear light units direct to one of those bolts and see if it helps. I did consider putting an earth there myself but I dont like wires hidden under carpets.
Edited by greymrj on Monday 15th August 16:08
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