Rear number plate lights issue

[riot68]

I have a 2003 tourer, 2.0 auto, the rear plate lights were both out, I swapped one bulb and it worked, went to swap the second one and it sparked and now they both won't work even with new bulbs, have been through the manual and searched with no luck to see what fuse they use, all the other exterior lights are working fine, any ideas?

 

[btjtaylor]

Any voltage on a multimeter? Testing between the connectors of the lamp holder

 

[riot68]

I've not had chance to check yet, I'll get out there in the morning to investigate further.

 

[riot68]

Any voltage on a multimeter? Testing between the connectors of the lamp holder

No voltage across the connectors, any idea which fuse it is?

 

[btjtaylor]

Check fuse 4 in the engine bay fusebox:

 

[btjtaylor]

If the fuse is OK (I imagine it possibly is OK as there's a bunch of other stuff controlled on same fuse that you might've noticed also not working), it could be some kind of wiring issue. I know on hatch cars in general the tailgate harness is known for getting worn over time. Probably the next thing to check.

 

[riot68]

If the fuse is OK (I imagine it possibly is OK as there's a bunch of other stuff controlled on same fuse that you might've noticed also not working), it could be some kind of wiring issue. I know on hatch cars in general the tailgate harness is known for getting worn over time. Probably the next thing to check.

Ok, thank you, the sidelights are definitely still working.

Strange too as they both didn't work, I went to change the bulbs, out a bulb in one side and it worked, went to put one in the other side, it sparked and now they both don't work and no voltage, very strange. I'll check the fuse though just in case.

 

[riot68]

If the fuse is OK (I imagine it possibly is OK as there's a bunch of other stuff controlled on same fuse that you might've noticed also not working), it could be some kind of wiring issue. I know on hatch cars in general the tailgate harness is known for getting worn over time. Probably the next thing to check.

I checked all the fuses in the engine bay and they're all good. Going as a matter of course to check them all under the dash too, can't harm and then go from there.

 

[riot68]

If the fuse is OK (I imagine it possibly is OK as there's a bunch of other stuff controlled on same fuse that you might've noticed also not working), it could be some kind of wiring issue. I know on hatch cars in general the tailgate harness is known for getting worn over time. Probably the next thing to check.

Ok we have progress, checked all the interior fuses and fine, I was putting everything back together as I pulled all the tailgate trim off ready to take it somewhere but when I put the bulbs back in they worked, after closing the boot though they go off so it's definitely a wiring issue, where's the most likely place the wiring will be worn?

 

[btjtaylor]

Ok we have progress, checked all the interior fuses and fine, I was putting everything back together as I pulled all the tailgate trim off ready to take it somewhere but when I put the bulbs back in they worked, after closing the boot though they go off so it's definitely a wiring issue, where's the most likely place the wiring will be worn?

Not the most amazing diagram ever but this should give you an idea of the cabling routes

From having a read the wiring passes through between the body and the tailgate near the left hand hinge (top left in diagram below) - i'd probably start there as thats often where it gets caught/rubs.

 

[riot68]

Thank you for that, I've stripped it back and need to have a better look, also have a good auto electrician near by so may just drop it to him.