B

BonesNTX

New Member
Hello,

Have a small problem I'm looking to fix on my Wife's 2003, anybody offer advice please?

The tail lights have quit working...the big lights to either side of the tailgait. The brake lights in those same housings are working and all the lights in the bumper are OK.

Surely not 2 bulbs burned out at once...Surely not a series circuit?

The fuse is good.

Anybody had this already and can help us?

Thanks
 
Your message is a bit confusing. The lights next to the tailgate are the fog lights and reversing lights.

The lights in the bumper are the normal tail lights which come on when you have your front lights on and your indicators.

The brake lights are in the bumper
 
Dave Herron said:
Your message is a bit confusing. The lights next to the tailgate are the fog lights and reversing lights.

The lights in the bumper are the normal tail lights which come on when you have your front lights on and your indicators.

The brake lights are in the bumper
Click to expand...

Fog Lights next to tail gate.....News to me. There are brake lights "there" in that area which WE THINK it has Tail lights / Running Lights of which a week or so ago we noticed they aren't working.

OK, so you point out my question about a relatively new vehicle is confusing.
Did you understand my question of if the lights are in a series circuit? Do you know?


Thanks
 
Sounds like your individual car has been wired up wrong or been convereted by a previous owner. The lights next to the tailgate are definately Fogs and not Brake.
 
easy way to find out - turn on the headlights and with someone at the back, turn on the fog lights - see if any, which ones light up...

I dont know of any car which fits lights in series - the whole idea is that if one fails - the rest still work.
 
Hi Bone and a welcome, , , the tail light are not wired in series, they are in fact parallel , think you'll find that they are bout 5-10 watt ,and if I'm not mistaken same bulb as yer brake light so the bulb would be 5/21 watt at 12volts check bulbs first then with a leccy indicator check ta see if ya have 12v when switch is on, if not check fuse fer that circuit, if thats ok check ya returns [earths] and best oh luck. . . .
 
Welcome bones!

Has yer hippo had a tow bar fitted?
Could be someones bolloxed the socket connections up?
 
Hey everybody, thanks for the info / help!
I used to have a Triumph in the seventies and the wiring was quite strange to me being a Texan. That's why I wanted to make sure this isn't a series circuit. This is my Wife's ride and she is British having lived many years down the road from the ROVER plant.

We do not have a "Fog Light" switch. Therre is a dummy cover in that position so appears to be option not included on this SE model.
We do not have a tow hitch/bar.

Pic of the light housing to you. It is the BIG Red one at top/right with reverse light that only lights when brakiing (reverse works). Is this normal? The ones in the bumper do light when driving...Thought those were the "fog lights".


getfile.asp
 
Right.......... stop/tail lights and indicators are in the bumper, fog and reverse are higher up next to the tailgate.

they are fused on each side so.......turn the SIDE lights on, have a look round the front, if they're both working, its not a fuse, have a look round the back, if they're not working then start with the bulbs, its not uncommon for bulbs to blow at roughly the same time.

even if the bulbs look ok, change 'em, they should be twin fillament 12v 5/21w

While you're at it, have a look at the bulb holders and make sure no water has got in there and corroded the terminals
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

K
Help with weird electrical fault which affects starting and brake lights?
Replies
6
Views
987
GrumpyGel
GrumpyGel
M
1985 90 Rear wiring
Replies
2
Views
1K
MelancholyDonkey
M
D
Multiple warning lights and power loss
Replies
3
Views
1K
Datsun770
D
L
Freelander 1 Rear axle noise
Replies
1
Views
1K
landycrowford
L
LukeyT
Disco 2 Disco 2 Electrical Issue Interior Lights, Radio, Heater Controls and Immobiliser
Replies
6
Views
972
LukeyT
LukeyT