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MOT + rear number plate lamps?
nick205 - 12/4/12 at 01:13 PM

MOT next week on SWMBOS Alhambra and the rear no. plate lamps (2) aren't working. After replacing the bulbs and checking the fuses they still don't work so suspect a bad connection somewhere in the tailgate wiring. I'm sure I can fix it, but time is against me right now to start pulling it apart and looking for the problem.

Is this an MOT fail?

loggyboy - 12/4/12 at 01:18 PM

yes its a fail.

britishtrident - 12/4/12 at 01:23 PM

Yes all obligatory lamps are testable items -
If not the bulbs then most likely the problem is due to either the bulb holders or earth connection.

The lamp holders will made by Valeo frequently they suffer from corrosion, usually a proper contact cleaner such as Anders Product Corosion Gone! followed by Silicone grease will cure it for a year or two.

Not Anumber - 12/4/12 at 01:37 PM

If all else fails and you cant get the holder repaired or replaced in time stick in a white light LED soldered to a bit of wire and run temporary wiring to the taillamps.

adithorp - 12/4/12 at 01:49 PM

If it's not the lamps then next place to look is were the wiring goes into the tailgate. Constant bending in the loom between body and door breaks the wires.

r1_pete - 12/4/12 at 03:30 PM

It is, SWMBO's car got an advisory for 1 out, he said he would pass it because technically it is still illuminated. But had both been out it would be a fail.

nick205 - 12/4/12 at 09:44 PM

quote:
Originally posted by adithorp
If it's not the lamps then next place to look is were the wiring goes into the tailgate. Constant bending in the loom between body and door breaks the wires.


That's my first port of call and confident I can rectify, just on a (self-imposed) short timescale to get it sorted. Irratating really as the rest of the 11 yr old 120k mile chugga-bug is in pretty good order all round.

dhutch - 13/4/12 at 07:38 AM

Bridge wire from a rear cluster, or even the fag lighter socket, along the close of the tail gate and down into the light?