Tailgate Rear Light Cluster: Not Always On?

[whowantstwoknow]

Hi all,

 

I have a 56 plate Mk3 galaxy. Have noticed with the lights on the tailgate light cluster (ie 3 bulbs across the top) dont all come on. Its intermittent and its not the bulb as a small tap on the outside of the light fitting gets the light/bulb going.

 

I've taken both the driver & passenger cluster out and see the bulb holder/connector screws on to a metal plate that obviously gets current/voltage when the car has the lights turned on. To date I have taken out each bulb connector and given the metal contacts a cleaning and pushed them closer together so it becomes harder to turn the connector back onto the plate (hoping to get a firmer connection).

 

This hasnt rectified the problem to date. This symptom also exists on the light/bulb on the quarter panel. Haven't attempted to solve this as my first attempt doesnt seem to have provided a fix.

 

It seem a pretty obvious mechanism to power the bulbs but I cant see why one or two bulbs don't get power without a slight knock from me. Anybody have ideas of why its giving this behaviour and how to solve it?

 

Thanks in advance

W.

[ndr]

Hi, did you find out what the problem was at all?  I have exactly the same issue.  Thanks very much.

[chrispb123456]

May still be the bulbs at fault, try replacing bulbs first before digging to deep.

[Scorpiorefugee]

I agree with Chris as over half of the low wattage bulbs I have had fail in recent years have failed in this way. Not easy to explain to the nice policeman when he stops you.

[ndr]

Thanks very much for the advice, I will replace the bulbs and let you know the outcome.

[whowantstwoknow]

FYI:

 

Explained the symptoms to the mechanic at a recent service. He took a look and decided to replace ALL these bulbs along the tailgate.

 

Anytime I've gone to check since, they are all on so perhaps its a bulb issue after all...

 

Cheers

W. 

[huwb]

Ours does it to.  They also come back on with a tap on the cluster.  

[GaryM]

Yep, clean the galvanising around where the lamp holder twists in. That's what fixed mine

 

[g33za]

Thanks for this post, i've exactly the same problem with my tailgate cluster, anyone have any recommendations for bulbs?

[GaryM]

I've changed the ones in the tailgate to red led jobbies mainly because they are more durable against the continued slaming of the door. Just be aware that you cannot do them all (ones in the right and left main body) else the trickle current will keep them lit all the time.

[timjhobbs]

I have a stupid question concerning the rear light clusters.... After unscrewing the two screws holding the plastic bulb holder on, how the.... WELL IF the plastic bulb holder does comes out then please someone HOW as I can't pull it from the car, it just moves about but I don't want to pull it too hard in case it breaks.

It looks like the there is a plastic bar sticking up on the outer edge of the plastic holder to the boot cluster? [Currently wishing I had taken a photo as my description doesn't sound very helpful :-) ]