Pineappleman Posted January 5, 2016 Report Posted January 5, 2016 Hi peeps Ok my rear drivers side tail lamp bulb has blown...... Replaced the bulb and still nothing however the brake filiment on the same bulb does work...... Could it be as simple as to replace the whole rear bulb cluster/holder? No idea really and at risk of being an idiot ..... What are the 3 different bulbs for 1 indicator and 1 brake/taillamp but what is the small one for? As always cheers Mk2 2003 1.9 115 Quote
SilverBeast Posted January 5, 2016 Report Posted January 5, 2016 There are two sidelights at each side, one with the brake light and one with it's own smaller bulb next to it, I was driving round and passed MOT's with only one on each side for some time as it was the "same" one that was working.(the one with the brake light). Quote
Pineappleman Posted January 6, 2016 Author Report Posted January 6, 2016 cheers for that. my brake light works but seems slightly dimmer than the other but for some reason the taillamp part of the bulb fails to work. at the cost of a new bulb cluster being only £12.50 on Ebay i have decided to replace it in the hope that will fix my issue. Is this a common issue? anyone else had it? im dreading it being a wire fault as i will be screwed and will have to pay to fix it. Quote
BrianH Posted January 6, 2016 Report Posted January 6, 2016 The common issue with the wiring is the wires in the gaiter on the boot break (either snap, or the insulation breaks off). Off hand not sure if both sides have the same connector, but you could try swapping them from one side to the other and see if the fault follows it? The cluster bits are fairly simple though - unless the track is broken or corroded I'd expect it to work. It may be worth a close look at the other side - some problems appear to be down to the wrong type of bulb being installed as well. I'd suspect (without looking at the circuit diagram) that the number plate lights are on the same circuit hence would suspect the righthand gaiter on the boot to be the source of the problem if its not actually the cluster. If it is there though there is instructions in the faq section on replacing it, and it is DIY able! Quote
Paulchez-85 Posted January 6, 2016 Report Posted January 6, 2016 hi there pineappleman. you need to test the wire at the plug and then with the plug connected on the terminals. this will give you a idea of if its the cluster or a wiring fault. no point spending money on parts you may not need. also disconnect the cluster and wire wool the terminals including earth. paul Quote
Pineappleman Posted January 7, 2016 Author Report Posted January 7, 2016 Thanks for the help guys...... I changed the cluster and the problem still exists. Not sure where to check next but I have noticed that the smaller tail light bulb does not work. Quote
BrianH Posted January 7, 2016 Report Posted January 7, 2016 The right-hand side gaiter on the boot. It will pull apart fairly easy. Your looking for damaged or broken wires Quote
Pineappleman Posted January 7, 2016 Author Report Posted January 7, 2016 Thanks BrianH I will have a look this weekend. Forgive a stupid question but why is the brake light cable on the top of the boot door? seems strange. Quote
BrianH Posted January 8, 2016 Report Posted January 8, 2016 Not 100% sure it is. The tail lights and number plate lights are on at the same time though. Number plate is obviously on the boot door. Given that someone else recently had their dash lights knocked out by the same thing and it's a known common failure point it makes sense to start there though Quote
BrianH Posted January 8, 2016 Report Posted January 8, 2016 And thinking about it the brake light will be as the eye level brake light is there as well. Though without looking at wiring diagram not sure how wires run. Anyway it's easy to have a look and decide. Quote
Paulchez-85 Posted January 9, 2016 Report Posted January 9, 2016 You need to be testing with a multi meter to check the voltage as I stated before this way you can trace any bad wiring. I don't think the brake lights run through the boot door as there in outer quarters. I would strongly advise testing with a multi meter using a good earth point and work across the wiring. Compare using other side as a reference if need be. Quote
BrianH Posted January 9, 2016 Report Posted January 9, 2016 You need to be testing with a multi meter to check the voltage as I stated before this way you can trace any bad wiring. I don't think the brake lights run through the boot door as there in outer quarters. I would strongly advise testing with a multi meter using a good earth point and work across the wiring. Compare using other side as a reference if need be. For the amount of work involved check the rear gaiter - Its a known failure point for all sorts of faults due to design and the (poor) quality of the cable used on the Galaxy. You only need to look through the forum to realise its one of the most common failures. Given that its the Tail light (or started as the tail light and then moved onto the brake light - i'd assume its a typo but possible its changed?) and the number plate lights will be on at the same time, likely on the same circuit as well and these are on the boot it seems reasonable to check the boot (its easier for someone to look for a broken wire first - these commonly will either snap the wires, or pieces of the insulation break off allowing them to short together. Its only a case of pulling the gaiter away from the body to look. Quote
Paulchez-85 Posted January 9, 2016 Report Posted January 9, 2016 I agree but was just trying to help as to whether the fault is in the boot. as I stated if they had of tested before buying a replacement cluster they may of saved a few quid. and may help diagnose whereabouts the problem is in regards to connections between locations or if it was a bad earth as he said it varied from side to side. Quote
BrianH Posted January 9, 2016 Report Posted January 9, 2016 Yep fair point. Wait and see what he says Quote
Pineappleman Posted January 11, 2016 Author Report Posted January 11, 2016 Just to confirm its the rear drivers side tail light. The bulb is the one with both the tail light and brake light with just the tail light part not working.The number plate light works but on both sides the little tail light bulb does not work but i have since found that if you wiggle the small bulb on the passenger side around it then works but goes out once you drive, guessing the vibrations while driving knock it back out. So its the drivers side small tail light bulb and big taillight bulb not working. cant see any broken wires but i have not have a invasive look and will maybe pay for someone to look. Quote
BrianH Posted January 11, 2016 Report Posted January 11, 2016 Try a new bulb on the passenger side first. While it's out check the contacts aren't rusty. If they are clean them up and try agaon Quote
Paulchez-85 Posted January 11, 2016 Report Posted January 11, 2016 try pull the tab up a little to make sure its getting a good contact and as brianh says give it a clean. I would advise wire wool and unplugging the connector before doing so to avoid any possible shorting out. Quote
Pineappleman Posted January 11, 2016 Author Report Posted January 11, 2016 done all that .... have even replaced the whole cluster and the fault is the same. Must be a wire somewhere at fault but so far i cant find it. Quote
Paulchez-85 Posted January 11, 2016 Report Posted January 11, 2016 have you used a known good earth point and tested all the same bulbs with a same reading. using a different earth points may result in a different readings. have you tested direct into the connectors rather than in the bulb socket? Quote
Paulchez-85 Posted January 13, 2016 Report Posted January 13, 2016 Hi pineapple any updates or results on you light prob mate Quote
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