Rear lights out
Discussion
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.
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!).
Ace-T said:
You do read Mr Pratchetts books then 
big fan, other literary quotes of possibly use When you've elimiated the impossible what you're left with, no matter how improbable, must be true
or something, can't remember exactly
Don't forget that these bulbs have probably been on (and in the car) for the same amount of time, them both blowing at once isn't that bizzarre :xfilessmily:
Voltaire53 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.
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.
Ivan
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?
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.
Ivan
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.
Cheers,
Andy
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!
Tilt passenger seat backrest forward. Look behind seat and find seatbelt. Above it you will see a piece of Leather/Plastic trim running horizontally. This is the bottom edge of a panel that flips up. To get it up you need to pull off the rubber door seal. It may be held in place with Velcro, Glue or Chewing Gum depending on what TVR or anyone else may have stuck it down with.
Flip it up and look down the hole.
Get someone to stand behind car with lights switched on and wiggle the wires about making and breaking connections until lights come on.
Ivan
Flip it up and look down the hole.
Get someone to stand behind car with lights switched on and wiggle the wires about making and breaking connections until lights come on.
Ivan
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
They will if you didn't do anything!
There's a multi-connector in there which houses round pin connectors. It has a simple latch to stop it shaking undone. Open it up, clean all contacts then put it back together with some vaseline (or Waxoyl!) around the joint and where the wires enter.
Very simple job. (IMHO of course!)
There's a multi-connector in there which houses round pin connectors. It has a simple latch to stop it shaking undone. Open it up, clean all contacts then put it back together with some vaseline (or Waxoyl!) around the joint and where the wires enter.
Very simple job. (IMHO of course!)
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