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        General >> Problems >> Tail Lights
        
(Message started by: SCDCarter on Sep 24^th, 2008, 1:18pm)

Title: Tail Lights
Post by SCDCarter on Sep 24^th, 2008, 1:18pm

I am having a problem with my tail lights in that they have ceased to function.

This is on an M Reg 2.5 TD Saloon.

I have checked the fuses and they all appear to be OK. I do not know enough about relays to even look for a fault on them.

I have looked this up in the Fault Finder index on this site and neither of the documented causes are applicable on my car.

When I switch on the side and tail, the front lights do come on.

There is a tow bar fitted (wiring all OK) and I tested the circuits on a light board, the tail lights on the light board did not come on, I think therefore that it is not down to the bulbs unless they operate like a Xmas Tree, one out, all out.

I have no idea how long they have not been working as I have not driven after dark for some months. I only discovered they were not working when I tested my trailer lights.

I am obviously not keen on taking it to a garage and being stung for £100 for what might be a minor problem.

Any suggestions gratefully received

Steve

Title: Re: Tail Lights
Post by gozz on Sep 24^th, 2008, 4:53pm

Was one of the quoted faults trapping or chafing of the loom in the offside boot hinge and area thereof ?
GOZZ.

Title: Re: Tail Lights
Post by SCDCarter on Sep 24^th, 2008, 5:36pm

It was, however, having checked this I found that there was no undue wear and tear on the wiring running through the brackets/hinges and the fog and reversing lamps are operating perfectly.

Steve

Title: Re: Tail Lights
Post by Matt on Sep 24^th, 2008, 6:28pm

check the wiring for the towbar and the electrical connection, it may have shorted down, other then that check the light switch, im not sure but the front and rear may opperate on diffrent pins on the switch

Title: Re: Tail Lights
Post by Highlander on Sep 24^th, 2008, 6:52pm

earth connections behind the lights?

Title: Re: Tail Lights
Post by SCDCarter on Sep 24^th, 2008, 7:29pm

I have checked the towbar electrics and, other than the fact that the tail lights will not work on the light-board the wiring is OK, to my eyes.

Regarding the light switch itself, in order for that to be checked it looks as though the dash has to be removed? Not a job for the faint-hearted and ill-equipped amateur. If it goes that far I may have to pay a visit to the garage.

Steve

Title: Re: Tail Lights
Post by SCDCarter on Sep 24^th, 2008, 7:30pm

Regarding the earth connections behind the lights. There are a few wires screwed to the bodywork all of which appear to be intact and quite firmly attached.

Steve

Title: Re: Tail Lights
Post by SCDCarter on Sep 24^th, 2008, 7:32pm

Is there an expert here that knows what colour or, which wire it is that carries the current for the tail lights. I am thinking I could use a tester and trace the wire back to where it loses its current.

Easier said than done I know.

regards

Steve

Title: Re: Tail Lights
Post by scorpio_man on Sep 24^th, 2008, 7:45pm

hi there

still sounds like the switch to me. easy to take off. see this (http://www.fordscorpio.co.uk/manual/electrical/intbasic/Switch-Light.pdf).

and here's the wiring diagrams (http://cid-eb36f845ea9b8fb6.skydrive.live.com/browse.aspx/WIRING%20DIAGRAMS)as well.

hth

Title: Re: Tail Lights
Post by SCDCarter on Sep 24^th, 2008, 9:54pm

Thanks for that, I will have a go at the switch in the morning.

The diagrams are unreadable to me. Whilst able to find every other light, I did not locate a wiring diagram for the tail lights. Some of the references appear to be American, do they call the tail lights something different?

thanks for your help.

Steve

Title: Re: Tail Lights
Post by Simmo on Sep 25^th, 2008, 8:59am

Have you or anyone removed the large connector from the main,drivers side, fusebox??. This can appear to have been replaced correctly but in fact be one row of pins out. You MUST locate the pegs in the slots fully before pressing down the connector. One of the symptoms of this 'fault' is front lights ok but no rears. Look carefully at the fittings on the connector and you'll see what I mean. ;)

Title: Re: Tail Lights
Post by SCDCarter on Sep 25^th, 2008, 9:51am

Hi,

Thanks for the suggestion but, no-one has been near the fusebox other than myself to check the fuses. The plug has not been out whilst I have had the car. Needless to say, having been told about this potential cause, I did take the plug out and check, just in case the gremlins had called.

Steve

Title: Re: Tail Lights
Post by SCDCarter on Sep 25^th, 2008, 9:57am

I have taken the switch out and had a look at it.

given that the whole thing is a sealed unit and that it is a plug that fits in the back of it as opposed to half a dozen individual wires. I am at a loss as to how I might see if anything is amiss with it.

The receptor on the back of the switch has all the pins numbered. Is anyone aware of where the allocation table is for these pins. Armed with that information I should be able to jury-rig a test on the tail-light pin/switch to see if current is reaching that point.

Title: Re: Tail Lights
Post by SCDCarter on Sep 25^th, 2008, 11:22am

Hi,

I have just had a friend who is a competent mechanic with the correct testing gear have a look at it.

The owners handbook states that fuse 14 which is a 15amp fuse is for Tail Lights, directional indicators and brake lights. This was the fuse I checked and found to be OK.

My mate, having all the right gear ran through all the fuses. He found that Fuse 3, a 10amp fuse was blown. The book indicated that this was the fuse for the "Exterior light switch" whatever that is.

On replacing the fuse, the tail lights came on. Live and Learn I suppose.

Many thanks for all your help and suggestions.

Steve

Title: Re: Tail Lights
Post by Simmo on Sep 25^th, 2008, 2:14pm

I have just looked up a link HERE (http://www.drich2422.ukfsn.org/SCORPIO_WIRING%20DIAGRAMS/FUSES_and_RELAYS.pdf) which Snoopy provided (Check out pages 5 and 7}and it lists fuse three as covering the parking lights and number plate lights. Fuse 4 seems to cover the headlamps and day time running lights. As I checked further it appears that fuse 3 also covers the radio/cassette and the instrument illumination. Did you have any problems with these items ?. Nothing so variable as a Scorp!!. ???

Title: Re: Tail Lights
Post by SCDCarter on Sep 25^th, 2008, 3:52pm

Hi,

Thanks for the pointer to the fuse layout. To my knowledge I had no problems with either the Radio or instrumentation lighting but, I suppose that if the fuse blew as soon as there was a problem then it is doubtful that I would have noticed unless I was listening to the Radio at the time. Unfortunately I have neither listened to the radio or, driven after dark for some time so the problem could have been there for a while without me noticing.

I will have to write it off as yet another attempt by the Scorpio to make my life interesting.

Steve