Involuntary Combustion

Jon Foulds · Mar 18, 2021

Sat down to breakfast the other day - wet and windy outside, looked up and noticed that the reverse light was illuminated on my 97 defender 90 - odd I thought. Went up the drive and was greeted with smoke coming from under the bonnet. Ran back to grab spanners to unbolt the battery. Cannot see anything obvious - when I reconnect battery, reverse light comes on and burning smell appears. Suspect its a wiring issue but it was standing on drive unused for over a week. Anyone any ideas?

JimS · Mar 18, 2021

Jon Foulds said:
Sat down to breakfast the other day - wet and windy outside, looked up and noticed that the reverse light was illuminated on my 97 defender 90 - odd I thought. Went up the drive and was greeted with smoke coming from under the bonnet. Ran back to grab spanners to unbolt the battery. Cannot see anything obvious - when I reconnect battery, reverse light comes on and burning smell appears. Suspect its a wiring issue but it was standing on drive unused for over a week. Anyone any ideas?

Its either water, mice or someone tried to nick it and cut into the wrong wire

tottot · Mar 18, 2021

Take out the floor's/tunnel and check loom to reverse switch as it goes over the gearbox.

Cavey_P38 · Mar 18, 2021

rodent damage is common dependant on your location. we are rural have had all back light on a variety of vehicles done over the years..

I would pull reverse light switch well out and have a look.

also pop the metal covers in the back rear corners and see if you can see any damage.
sound like with smoke a permenant live has shorted out.

tottot · Mar 18, 2021

And fit a battery cut off switch. I did after similar incident with heater fan.

Involuntary Combustion

Jon Foulds

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JimS

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tottot

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Cavey_P38

Well-Known Member

tottot

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