Reversing lights - Murphy's Law

[cummo]

Yep - the pre-registration gremlins have kicked in; lost the reversing lights in my Perentie today. My Series 1 plays this game every almost every year - just prior to rego something goes wrong. I generally win but it makes life harder than it needs to be; I nearly always seem to be up till the early hours of the day of rego fixing last minute things.

Auto-electrics not being my strong point I will check the obvious things - probably working from the lghts inwards - globes, connections and fuse (presumably); though not sure how the lights are activated i.e. contact switch or similar. I think I have wiring diagram downloaded somewhere so I can probably find my way round things, however any suggestions as to the likely cause will be greatly appreciated.

Cheers, Dave

[Albert]

Did you have the engine running?
I remember something about the wireing goes through/with oil pressure switch so no oil pressure no reverse lights, to comply with ADR's

[cummo]

Thanks Albert - pretty sure I did but as I was by myself so as a check I did leave it in reverse with engine off but ignition on and.....no reverse lights. So you could be correct on that front. Will try again tomorrow with a spotter to check for sure with engine running and in reverse gear.

Cheers, Dave

[LandroverScott]

TWill try again tomorrow with a spotter to check for sure with engine running and in reverse gear.

Cheers, Dave

Or try in the dark backed up to a wall

[cummo]

Used the back wall of the shed tonight as my spotter (it at least doesn't complain about the cold) - engine running, reverse gear selected.......no reversing lights. Super.
Following replacement of the steering ball joints, (first pre-rego job on the weekend), I'll start tracking down the reversing lights problem. First check will be the globes followed by the fuse. Printed out the Perentie wiring diagram today so I've at least got something to follow beyond these points. Will see how I go.

[solidrock]

Thanks Albert - pretty sure I did but as I was by myself so as a check I did leave it in reverse with engine off but ignition on and.....no reverse lights. So you could be correct on that front. Will try again tomorrow with a spotter to check for sure with engine running and in reverse gear.

Cheers, Dave

I can also confirm that the reverse lights on my GS function when the ignition is fully off (i.e. no key) and reverse is selected. I did have some initial problems with the rear light globes not working as they were loosing connection due to vibration and coming loose from their sockets.

[JDNSW]

Civilian Isuzu engined 110s have an oil pressure switch that stops the reversing light from functioning unless the engine is running, so it is reasonable to suppose the same applies to at least some military 110s.

Check by selecting neutral in the t/c, reverse in main box with the engine running, handbrake on and get out and have a look.

John

[cummo]

Issue resolved - as JDNSW (and others) have mentioned the reversing lights on the Perentie only activate when the engine is running which is achieved by having the engine oil pressure sender linked into the reversing light circuit. I started tracing the link wire from the oil pressure sender to find a loose bullet connector; connection reinstated and all was good.
Brake lights on the other hand..... I found in my night-before-rego check that the brake lights weren't working. The problem ended up being a combination of the common rear bullet connector housing at the back of the rear wheel arch being chock-full of caked mud and attendant corrosion, along with a mud-caked and poorly grounded earth strap between transfer case and chassis rail. Both were cleaned up and Inox-sprayed and presto! - brake lights again. As this year was my first rego inspection post-purchase from Grays till now I had no call to check the brake lights; in light of the problems encountered they may never have worked for the past year.....


Dave

[AndyG]

I suppose your fortunate no one could ever accuse you of stopping suddenly. :p

[BadCo.]

Issue resolved - as JDNSW (and others) have mentioned the reversing lights on the Perentie only activate when the engine is running which is achieved by having the engine oil pressure sender linked into the reversing light circuit. I started tracing the link wire from the oil pressure sender to find a loose bullet connector; connection reinstated and all was good.
Brake lights on the other hand..... I found in my night-before-rego check that the brake lights weren't working. The problem ended up being a combination of the common rear bullet connector housing at the back of the rear wheel arch being chock-full of caked mud and attendant corrosion, along with a mud-caked and poorly grounded earth strap between transfer case and chassis rail. Both were cleaned up and Inox-sprayed and presto! - brake lights again. As this year was my first rego inspection post-purchase from Grays till now I had no call to check the brake lights; in light of the problems encountered they may never have worked for the past year.....


Dave

Cut those bullet connectors out and solder the cables, otherwise they will just continue to give you grief.

[cummo]

True AndyG - but I've noticed other drivers tend to stay back from the rear end of the Perentie - probably due the big chunk of BHP Steel's annual production for 1988 hanging off the back end .... :)

Yep BadCo - cleaning-up and firming-up all the electrical connections is on my list of things to do - along with fixing the heater fan, replacing the window channels, fixing the steering box play......

Cheers, Dave

[BadCo.]

Yep BadCo - cleaning-up and firming-up all the electrical connections is on my list of things to do - along with fixing the heater fan, replacing the window channels, fixing the steering box play......

Cheers, Dave

Is funny because those are on my list too. What's wrong with your heater fan? Mine melted the original fuse and probably needs to be removed and cleaned out.

[cummo]

Not sure BadCo.
Fan was working initially but was drawing a heap of current (you could see the reading on the voltage gauge drop when it was engaged). Last time it was engaged there was a squeal and then.....nothing.
I'd like to think it's only a minor problem but I suspect it's not - more likely something is burnt out or a bearing is done - something likely more serious than a cooked fuse.
Not looking forward to finding out; I think it's going to be a bugger to get to and get out and probably an expensive fix :(

Cheers, Dave

[JDNSW]

Assuming it is the same as the civilian 110, not too hard to get out, and most likely, as you suggest, a seized bearing. Possbly just a few drops of oil, but even if it needs replacing should not be a major expense if you can strip the motor and repair it. Since the fuse blew, it is likely the windings are not burnt out.

John

[BadCo.]

I had found this the other day when I was wondering how to get it out.

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[cummo]

Thanks guys - gives me hope that (a) the problem may not be as serious as I thought, and (b) getting to the fan assembly may not be as big a job as I thought.

Cheers, Dave