Tail lights won't work

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dessie85

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6
I have been working on a 1989 land rover 90. The brake lights work but not when I turn on any lights for night driving. The tail lights do not work at all.
Cables are wired correctly.
 
Do you have 12v at the bulb holders at the rear ?

My first check would be for damp in the nearside rear quarter ...
Yes there is 12v and no sign of damp. What I don't get is the brake lights work but it I put the main lights on then the brake lights won't light up at all.
 
Elextrickity finding an odd way to go, check lamp holders for corrosion, earth connections for both lamps.
You may think they are wired right but check again.
I have checked many times they are wired correctly. If they weren't then how would they light up when brake is applied.
 
I have checked many times they are wired correctly. If they weren't then how would they light up when brake is applied.
The cables at the lights are connected correctly and the fuse board has been changed from glass to blade fuses. These all seem fine too. I was thinking maybe there is a relay or another switch somewhere that may be isn't connected right or is faulty in some way.
 
All I will say is, You need to get the multi meter out and check everything. If a PO has changed the fuse box (not a bad thing if done right)
The lights and brake circuit should be totally separate, does it have 12v supply to 2 pins when the lights are on and you press the brake pedal (the rear tail has a 3 pin connector), Guess where the 3rd 1 goes;)
A relay should only be needed for the indicators.
I take it the front lights/indicators work?

Did they ever work? You say you are working on it, is it yours? and do you have any history? I have a feeling we are not getting the whole picture of the problem.

Its quite a simple circuit to check. If its not yours then don't assume anything is right. You keep saying its connected correctly, but many have said it before. DMM needed to check 12v & earths are coming in on the right wires, and where they come from.

Probably could be sorted in 15mins with the right equip & checking, well finding the problem, fixing could take a bit longer ;)

J
 
Did they ever work? You say you are working on it, is it yours? and do you have any history? I have a feeling we are not getting the whole picture of the problem.
^^ This

What has changed to mean you are asking the question on here. Was it working before LED fitted and now isn't, has it suddenly stopped working, are their other electrical issues.

As above the rear tail light is on a 3 pin plug, on the later style it is a 3pin econoseal plug, on the earlier style (what an '89 should be) there will be three bullet connectors. One should have 12v for the tail light, one should have 12v for the brake lights, they should be completely independent. The third will be an earth, make sure it does actually go to earth!
 
What colour are the wires coming out of the led light?

I'm betting you have wired the earth to a 12v feed and the tail-light to earth.
If they are the same as mine they will be red, green, and black. Which is nice and self explanatory.

But my guess is also an earth issue. LED are very sensitive.
 
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