Spots won't turn off

Cannon62 · Mar 12, 2022

Hi all. I have a 1999 Defender 110 station wagon. I have 4 large spots (on two switches) on the roof rack which after a engine replacement never really worked properly. I didn't use them much and let it go. I had some work done and one of the things was to make the rear reg plate light work. I assumed it wasn't just a bulb.
I haven't driven for a week or so and when I went out today, and two of the spots were on although barely and the battery was nearly dead. I didn't touch the switch and I'd assume that if they were on the whole time the battery would have been dead much earlier. I go to turn off the lights an they continue to be on.

Any advice?

v8250 · Mar 12, 2022

Isolate the 12v feed to the spot light relays and/or switches. All four lights should now be switched off. If they're not it means their receiving a partial 12v supply from another cct - if so, it's most likely a partial 12v feed short across worn wires so just trace back each of the spotlight wires to ensure no wires worn/partial short to another supply.

Once proven fixed, then test each 12v supply to each spotlight in turn...all wires, each fuse, each relay, each switch. And then re-check/replace the earth wires...ideally they'll all be returning to 1x single earth point with a piggyback back-up earth.

Cannon62 · Mar 12, 2022

Thank you so much. It sounds like someone with more experience than myself might need to do it. I've never done anything electrical myself besides swapping out indicators etc. I might give it go though. Thanks!

v8250 · Mar 12, 2022

Go buy this book on car electricals, it's a great read. And buy a good quality digital multi-meter. Then start playing

https://www.google.com/search?q=hay...hUKEwj5sMbeqcH2AhULif0HHWCmBagQ_AUoAHoECAEQAA

kermit_rr · Mar 12, 2022

Cannon62 said:
Thank you so much. It sounds like someone with more experience than myself might need to do it. I've never done anything electrical myself besides swapping out indicators etc. I might give it go though. Thanks!

If you want to learn and don't mind asking for help when you get stuck then there's plenty on here who can help you

Stanleysteamer · Mar 12, 2022

v8250 said:
Go buy this book on car electricals, it's a great read. And buy a good quality digital multi-meter. Then start playing

https://www.google.com/search?q=hay...hUKEwj5sMbeqcH2AhULif0HHWCmBagQ_AUoAHoECAEQAA

Hey mate, i might just do that!
You know what I'm like with feckin electrickery!

Stanleysteamer · Mar 12, 2022

kermit_rr said:
If you want to learn and don't mind asking for help when you get stuck then there's plenty on here who can help you

+1^

Disco1BFG · Mar 12, 2022

The Uni-T meters are very good IME - available on the zone ( of Ama

) - they do a DC clamp meter for reasonable money, which can be very useful in finding faults on LR's ... as me how I know

Bern768 · Mar 13, 2022

there is plenty of us that can help does sound like a rub through issue or similar, has it been wired properly with relays? sounds a stupid question but have seen plenty of really bad wiring jobs over the years

kermit_rr · Mar 13, 2022

I may have misunderstood, but if the lights are barely on even with a fully charged battery, then it's more likely an earthing problem?

Bern768 · Mar 13, 2022

kermit_rr said:
I may have misunderstood, but if the lights are barely on even with a fully charged battery, then it's more likely an earthing problem?

could well be earthing issues , or a partially broken live supply, broken outer sheild and the wires gone green and not letting a good current through the wire but have seen cheap fuse holders go green and cause similar , crappy connections and crimps, burnt and stuck relays could cause similar too

K14 · Mar 13, 2022

To be honest for the cost of a spot light relay and switch, I would replace like for like and check wiring ( good connections and no damage) particularly earth point.

Mudslider · Mar 13, 2022

You mentioned the engine replacement … chances are you have a bad earth …. Take a wire from the lights casings direct to negative on the battery and switch the spots on if their bright that’s your problem …. If not you may have a bad intermittent earth problem …. The people who done the engine replacement should be able to help as well … good luck

Cannon62 · Mar 17, 2022

v8250 said:
Go buy this book on car electricals, it's a great read. And buy a good quality digital multi-meter. Then start playing

https://www.google.com/search?q=hay...hUKEwj5sMbeqcH2AhULif0HHWCmBagQ_AUoAHoECAEQAA

Thanks again mate. I'd worry if I start at the wiring especially if I play, I'd expect injury, fire and quite possible a loom replacment!

Cannon62 · Mar 17, 2022

Thank you so much. Electrics always seem like witchcraft to me. I feel I might want to leave this to the professionals!

Cannon62 · Mar 17, 2022

Thanks for that. I can have a look, no harm. With my expertise I'd want to be careful you I don't make it worse!

Cannon62 · Mar 17, 2022

Cheers mate. The engine replacement was 4 years ago. They didn't wire up other spots and made a balls of a few things (the box with the ECU was just a nothing but a tangle of wires) so I might not go back. As my expertise is far less than them, I might just have to go to a proper mechanic I fear.

Cannon62 · Mar 17, 2022

kermit_rr said:
I may have misunderstood, but if the lights are barely on even with a fully charged battery, then it's more likely an earthing problem?

No actually the spots are very dim as they drained the battery. Its as if at some point 2 spots (out of four, they're on 2 switches) suddenly turned on on their own. Somehow I never noticed and the battery drained.

Cannon62 · Mar 17, 2022

Bern768 said:
there is plenty of us that can help does sound like a rub through issue or similar, has it been wired properly with relays? sounds a stupid question but have seen plenty of really bad wiring jobs over the years

I haven't a clue to how its wired to be honest. I really haven't a head for electrics. Previous owners seem to know what they're on about regarding landys so fingers crossed it was wired properly.

Cannon62 · Mar 17, 2022

Bern768 said:
could well be earthing issues , or a partially broken live supply, broken outer sheild and the wires gone green and not letting a good current through the wire but have seen cheap fuse holders go green and cause similar , crappy connections and crimps, burnt and stuck relays could cause similar too

Thanks a million Bern!

Spots won't turn off

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