Thread: Issues - No RH Park or Dash Lights

Originally Posted by Mickman

Hello all

I have searched the forum but cannot seem to find an answer to my issue. I have just driven my 300TDi for the first drive at night (out of the town) and discovered that my dash lights don't work. Checking my external lights upon returning home and I've discovered that my front RH parking light doesn't work. My reverse light works but is dim and when I switch the headlights on the reverse light doesn't come on!

I've checked my under dash fuses with a multimeter and they seem good, the same with the three maxi fuses under the bonnet. I have replaced the reverse light but that was for a cracked lens and I can't be sure if this problem existed prior to changing. Has anyone got any advice as to where I go from here? Thanks.

That must be the twin to mine!

On mine it's the fuse in the cab fuse box in the bottom row, that fuse does right tail light, front right Parker and dash lights, mine has a short which I haven't looked for yet, I'd say there could be a contact issue in the fuse box on yours, they are pretty poor quality fuse holders.


Cheers
James

Originally Posted by shack

That must be the twin to mine!

On mine it's the fuse in the cab fuse box in the bottom row, that fuse does right tail light, front right Parker and dash lights, mine has a short which I haven't looked for yet, I'd say there could be a contact issue in the fuse box on yours, they are pretty poor quality fuse holders.


Cheers
James

Thanks James, I did have an issue with my brake lights where the fuse holder had pushed back into the case. I might have to open up the fuse panel. If the fuse does dash, froont RH park and tail lights though then I have a bigger issue - my tail lights are working.

Originally Posted by Mickman

Thanks James, I did have an issue with my brake lights where the fuse holder had pushed back into the case. I might have to open up the fuse panel. If the fuse does dash, froont RH park and tail lights though then I have a bigger issue - my tail lights are working.

It only does right hand tail lights on mine, not both, but you could have another issue.

Probably easiest would be to hit rave and see where the wiring splits and runs to the back if they are all working, issue must be after that.

On the dim reversing light, maybe try an LED bulb. They need less current, but are brighter. Easier than tracing a low power feed. Worked well on our Defender.

OK thanks for the feedback guys. So it turns out that my front park light/dash light issue was a seperate issue to my reverse light. I had the boys at work rewire my taillight mess and it turns out the dim reverse light was a bad earth. My right rear tail light is wired to my left, which isn't standard but explains why it hasn't gone out with my dash and fronr rh park - fuse 16 should run all three.

I wired up on old H4 light to some wires with a couple of spade connecters and inserting into fuse 16 position - globe lit up nice and bright. I tried front rh park light bulb holder and then disconnected cigarette lighter but the globe still shone bright. I wiggled the wires coming through the firewall and the globe flickered - I knew I was getting close. It turns out that the loom coming through for my pyro was earthing. I have now recitfied, thanks guys for your help.

So I noticed an issue that I thought I had fixed but is still an issue. My right brake light is not coming on. The left is working along with both tail light. I have swapped bulbs from side to side as well as the bulb holder. I am getting 12v at the plug when the brake is depressed but as soon as I put the globe in I get complete voltage drop! Would this be an earth issue if the tail lights are working (dual filament bulb)? I follow the wires back to where they go under the tray but all I see is a big insulated loom. The fuse is good and I bridged the brake switch so the brakes light(s) stay on all the time. I am out of ideas - would any electrical gurus be kind enough to weigh in?

Originally Posted by Mickman

So I noticed an issue that I thought I had fixed but is still an issue. My right brake light is not coming on. The left is working along with both tail light. I have swapped bulbs from side to side as well as the bulb holder. I am getting 12v at the plug when the brake is depressed but as soon as I put the globe in I get complete voltage drop! Would this be an earth issue if the tail lights are working (dual filament bulb)? I follow the wires back to where they go under the tray but all I see is a big insulated loom. The fuse is good and I bridged the brake switch so the brakes light(s) stay on all the time. I am out of ideas - would any electrical gurus be kind enough to weigh in?

If your tail lights and indicators working, I think your earth is fine
High resistance joint maybe? Or broken strands of copper inside the cable? Has someone installed a trailer socket and used the crap splice connectors, corroded the conductor inside the cable

Blue Quick Splice Connector 16-14AWG Pk6 | Jaycar Electronics

These are similar to the ones used on my 110
I had to strip, solder and heat shrink all the wires right where they come out of the chassis 🤨, re run the trailer socket cable up to the connectors behind the lights

I would check all the connections (pull apart and eyeball, check for broken strands) give them a spray with some crc 2-26 and put back together.

Gav

Thanks Gav, OK I'll get stuck into it tonight - sound like it could be a long process!