Earthing and rear lights

[schueymcfee]

After searching and reading old threads about earths I set about finding a solution to my erratic idle, over reading gauges, and staying running without keys when foot is on brake.

I did the test where with the sidelights on I check what happens at the back when someone puts their foot on the brake.

As was mentioned on the near side the sidelight went out, no brake illuminated and the indicator light illumintaed instead. All fine on the O/S cluster.

Now, can anyone tell me where the earth point is for the rear light clusters, if this would also cause the erratic gauges and rough running.

If not, what is the best way of creating a new earth?

Thanks

[spend]

The earth is behind the fuel tank. It may be easier to test by temp running of a nice wire from the battery to both the rear light clusters? Its easy enough to pass across the n/s wheel arch into the boot

Dave

[Chassis 33]

Check the stop/tail light bulbs. I once had an Astra that would run on with my foot on the brakes. Had the entire wiring loom out checking chaffed wires etc. 3days later it turned out to be the two filaments in the combined bulb touching eachother.

Regards
Iain

[IainG]

There is a wiring connector behind the carpet flap at the passenger door lock which can give rear light problems. Worth checking as it is easy to access and I think the earth passes through it. Certainly stopped my brake light from working at my last MOT.

[nawarne]

The power of the PH forums!!
Having read this topic, got home from work this evening and went to find out why, on Saturday evening,the reversing light wouldn't work.

I was just about ready to don overalls and get under the car to see if I could find the switch on the gear box, as the bulb had tested OK.

However, as a start point I accessed the wiring behind the passenger side flap by the door and.....sure enough a squirt with some electrical contact cleaner in the multi-pin connector had my reverse light working - phew!
Not the weather to grovel under a car in a cold garage.

Wouldn't have thought of this unless it was mentioned here - so cheers Gents! The collective wisdom of PH wins again.
Nick

[schueymcfee]

nawarne said:

The power of the PH forums!!
Having read this topic, got home from work this evening and went to find out why, on Saturday evening,the reversing light wouldn't work.

I was just about ready to don overalls and get under the car to see if I could find the switch on the gear box, as the bulb had tested OK.

However, as a start point I accessed the wiring behind the passenger side flap by the door and.....sure enough a squirt with some electrical contact cleaner in the multi-pin connector had my reverse light working - phew!
Not the weather to grovel under a car in a cold garage.

Wouldn't have thought of this unless it was mentioned here - so cheers Gents! The collective wisdom of PH wins again.
Nick

No problem, glad I could help