Electrics problem?

[WhipLash]

I noticed last night that my rear fog light is coming on whenever I have my lights switched on. The fog warning light on the dash highlighted this problem. :sad:

It lights up when I brake or indicate right. The fog light is located on the drivers side in the same mounting as the right indicator/brake light. As it was dark I haven't checked anything out as yet. Any suggestions? Could it just be a loose bulb, or something more sinister like a sign of failing electrics??

[Josh B]

Have you checked the return or "earth" connection. if this is broken of bad connections then the back ot you car will light up like a christmas tree. If you turn on right indicator does all lights flash together.. if so BAD EARTH is your problem ;)

[WhipLash]

Originally posted by Josh B
Have you checked the return or "earth" connection. if this is broken of bad connections then the back ot you car will light up like a christmas tree. If you turn on right indicator does all lights flash together.. if so BAD EARTH is your problem ;)

I had a quick look yesterday evening. I checked the earth and it appears to be fine. All the bulbs sit neatly into a small circuit type board that fits into the light cluster. All the wires are going into a neat little conduit, which feeds the power through the circuit board to the bulbs. There are 5 bulbs on it in all. When I switch the cars lights on and I turn on the right indicator, 3 of them flash on/off (yes, like a Christmas Tree!), the 3 being indicator, fog light, and the night light. I couldn't find any loose connections or damaged bulbs :(. Due to the intensity of the fog light, I removed it completely, will this cause any problems?

Any other suggestions???

[BeCos]

Have you replaced any bulbs or fuses recently??

[WhipLash]

Originally posted by BeCos
Have you replaced any bulbs or fuses recently??

Nope, I haven't replaced a single item, except for a wheel!

[BeCos]

"Nope, I haven't replaced a single item, except for a wheel! "

Well don't you think it's about time you did!!!


Just kidding :)

[WhipLash]

Originally posted by BeCos
"Nope, I haven't replaced a single item, except for a wheel! "

Well don't you think it's about time you did!!!


Just kidding :)



Yeah, indeed it is about time - time to replace the car that is! ;)

[Josh B]

Whip it's definitely a bad earth. Are you serious about the wheel?? If so maybe you pinched the wire harness & you have broken a wire!!! Also the connector going onto the PCB could be corroded.. another reason is the tracks on the pcb itself. Their contact can become loose or corroded. Try connecting a wire from the shiney part of one of the 3 bulbs affected to earth... I put money on it that it will be OK!!!

[Citroman]

Some other ideas on this subject. I have seen incorrect bulbs being fitted e.g putting a single contact bulb in place of a twin contact therefore connecting 2 circuits together such as tail and stop lights. Sometimes D.I.Y. or panel beaters force the rear lamp cluster connector on the wrong way around and create the Christmas tree effect. Sometimes the lamp connector becomes corroded due to water or is not fully pushed home. I agree that the earth could be defective but check it with a digital multimeter and not with a test bulb. However, I cannot comment on the earth system of your car as some cars e.g. Japanese use a switched earth system and not a switched live as on European cars. The best way to diagnose a fault such as this is to use a wiring diagram.