no tail lights

[mattv]

G.day. Used a rental trailer yesterday, now tail lights are not working. Brake lights OK, Fuses appear OK. Anyone ever have same problem? Thanks in advance. p.s. I drive a '96 Defender 130.

[JDNSW]

It should be a fuse - I had exactly the same problem when I bought a caravan years ago. turned out that the trailer socket was wired to the rear lights through a fuse that was too small for the extra lights. Check that the parking lights come on - it is just possible that it is the contacts in the switch. Otherwise it has to be a coincidental wiring problem, or more likely, a coincidence of bulbs burnt out (how long since you checked the tail lights?).

Possibly an earth problem - do the stoplights change in brightness when the tail lights are turned on - check with a lens off whether both filaments light up with the stop light? (assuming the extra drain from the trailer caused the common earth for the rear lights to go open circuit). Also check if the number plate light is working - if it is the problem will be somewhere in the actual light units, I think.

John

[jx2mad]

I assume 130 has large fuse panel under dash like 110. Check fuse for rear lights. They are a split feed for front and rear with separate fuses. Ihad the same teouble a while back. I upgraded the lights on my camper and started out in dark only to find about 5km up the road that I had no rear lights at all. Try finding fuse in the dark. I put a slightly higher rated fuse and all is ok

[manic]

Had the same problem in Greece. We were pulled over into a service station in the dead of night by the police who were far from impressed with us driving down the moterway with no rear lights or reflectors! They wouldnt let us leave until the lights had been fixed.

The fuse map pointed to a fuse that was ok but it turned out another seemingly unrelated fuse was out which somehow caused a knock on effect... I got a small peice of wire and bypassed each fuse until the lights came on (a multimeter would have been nice!). Eventually found the fuse and swapped it out. This was on a 1989 defender with the old tube style fuses and a right horrible set of wired in add ons... I always carry a multimeter now.

[Judo]

Yep I've found fuses to be all over the place and anywhere but the marked slots. Check them all.

[mattv]

Thanks for the responses so far. checked all fuses with multi-meter, found an un-related 20 A fuse that was no good (under the seat). Changed that one but still no joy. It was definitely after using the trailer. still scratching head!

[Judo]

Thanks for the responses so far. checked all fuses with multi-meter, found an un-related 20 A fuse that was no good (under the seat). Changed that one but still no joy. It was definitely after using the trailer. still scratching head!
Having found that now, have you checked the bulbs again? If that is the fuse and it was blown I wouldn't be surprised to find the bulb gone as well, even if the break lights work. (Different filament I think?)

[mattv]

bulbs ok and yes, number plate light not working as well. :(

[Judo]

Not sure then.. Is there more than 1 fuse box? I've got at least 2 (in my Disco). 1 in engine bay and 1 in the cabin...

[cewilson]

I had a purler quite a few years ago. I ended up working out that when I pulled the trailer plug out, it left one of the pins in the socket which was earthing the circuit out. Only took me 4 or 5 hours to find though..... :)

In other words check your trailer plug.....



Cheers
Chris

[mattv]

thanks, checked that! At least the brake-lights work, still under investigation!

[cewilson]

Multimeter and wiring diagram - takes a while but it works.

[flagg]

If your wiring diagram has any resemblance to reality you are doing well.

Have you checked where the trailer plug is connected to your rear loom?

[zwitter]

I had similar problem. Found the vampire taps had got wet and corroded due to dissimilar metals. Wiggling them would get them working briefly. Also i replaced all the bullet connectors and some of the bullet ends as they too corrode. Then sealed up the corners where the lights fit. Re wired the socket and works a treat now.

Mine is 96 130 too

James


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