One dull rear light - any ideas...?

[Brinkz]

So yesterday I changed out all my interior light bulbs for LED and whilst I was at it changed my rear light bulbs (ones in the bodywork).

Reason I did this is because a couple of weeks ago i noticed that the offside light seemed less bright than the nearside - i just assumed the bulb was on its way out.

Well after putting a new bulb in either side the offside is still dull in comparison.

Does anyone have any ideas on what I need to check next and/or come across this themselves?

 

[lawrieIbizaMk4]

I would say disconnect them both and get a multimeter in connections on each side and check the voltages, lamps don't tend to dim when they're on the way out.

 

[LeonCR]

You sure both new bulbs are the same ?

 

[Brinkz]

You sure both new bulbs are the same ?

Yep, both out of the same packet because I bought as a pair. Also tried swapping them over and same side was till dull.

Lawrie, what are you thinking - offside isn't getting as much power to it???

 

[lawrieIbizaMk4]

Yep, both out of the same packet because I bought as a pair. Also tried swapping them over and same side was till dull.

Lawrie, what are you thinking - offside isn't getting as much power to it???

Yeah possibly a damage cable or loose connection increasing resistance, could even be a poor connection in the holder itself mate

 

[Brinkz]

Cheers, will have a look at the wiring just behind the lamp as my first port of call. Then if that fails I will get my hands on a multimeter. After this I guess it will have to be lamp out to check if there's anything wrong on the inside.

 

[bigbadjay]

Has anyone ever noticed how some leons rear lights arent consistent? E.g. some sidelights dimmer from side to side/ half of one sidelight "eclipsed" kinda thing like a half moon. Looks really obvious when one light bulb beside a crappy one, even in the same side of the tailgate, sidelight v brake+sidelight

 

[lawrieIbizaMk4]

Has anyone ever noticed how some leons rear lights arent consistent? E.g. some sidelights dimmer from side to side/ half of one sidelight "eclipsed" kinda thing like a half moon. Looks really obvious when one light bulb beside a crappy one, even in the same side of the tailgate, sidelight v brake+sidelight

Could really be a variety of factors, different brand bulbs with different gas mixtures, length of filament, current being drawn by other components on the car. Also doesn't help that the left and right sides of lights are on two different circuits as well

 

[Brinkz]

Well i've just been out to the supermarket to stock up on some Christmas essentials (beer and pringles), whilst in the car park I thought i'd have a look and see if the indicators are dimmer. Popped on the hazards and guess what, indicator is not as bright. So i'm gonna put my money on lawrie's suggestion - cheers for your time on this mate.

Will make a call to my friendly dealership after Christmas and ask them to look at it under warranty 'cos i'm crap with electrics (changing plugs and bulbs is my limit)...

 

[Nath.]

Normally a dim bulb is due to a bad earth.

 

[marty_34]

Could be a bad earth or loose connection

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[Marshall]

The bad earth theory would maybe tie up with your reverse sensors not working the other day too?

 

[Brinkz]

Ok, sounds like this is something I could check - how do I go about checking if it's a bad earth??? Please bear in mind that Steven Hawkins has more chance of competing on strictly come dancing than I have of becoming an electrician!!!!

 

[marty_34]

Take it to a stealer you must still be under warranty are you? Your cars a 10 plate ain it you can go to any approved dealer

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[Brinkz]

I am mate, just wasn't sure if it was an easy fix with a bit of know-how. I get on quite well with the local stealers and they've said they are happy to work on the car under warranty as long as the problem isn't linked to any of the mods on the car (which are springs and remap).

 

[kazand]

earth fault- check what happens when lights and indicators are on and you press brake pedal. an old Fiat I had used to go like a disco at the back, that was dodgy earthing.

 

[Nath.]

Bad earth

OK, if you have a bad earth on say a tail light the tail light bulb will attempt to earth through another bulb (remember that a bulb filament is a form of resistor, hence the dim bulb due to resisted earth and possible Christmas tree effect)

Disconnect battery or unplug rear light cluster, get some wire wool and use it to clean all the little brass tabs that connect to the little solder bubbles on the bottom of the bulb caps. Also clean the brass tabs that connect to the side of the metal cap on each bulb, as well as the bulb caps themselves. If possible get a small hook and give the brass tabs a little bend so as to make them push harder against the bulb when it's fitted. Somewhere near the bulb cluster there will be one wire that connects directly to the body of the car. (this will be the earth connection for that cluster), make sure it's tightly connected and that all of the strands of wire are connected to the little crimp eyelet things on both ends. Check the multi plug and socket for the cluster and look for discoloured contacts. (if you wish to clean these make sure the battery is disconnected as this is where you could blow fuses if you go near the live end (connected to the car) with wire wool.

This little job could well take less time than driving to the stealers, let alone waiting for them to attempt the job and giving you one of those complementary car washes that they do with a fookin' shovel.

 

[Marshall]

Brinkz is it the drivers side that's dim?
Seems a odd question but does your rear washer work alright?
On my last FR when the rear washer pipe froze and came off when the washer was operated it sprayed all over the drivers rear lamp holder.
Just a thought as if that has went unnoticed for a little while it would corrode and cause this.
Just a thought that's worth checking.

 

[Brinkz]

Cheers Nath, will give that a go in the morning.

Marshall (what happened to kev by the way?), ive de-wipered my rear but its the light cluster in the body and not the tailgate.

 

[Marshall]

Cheers Nath, will give that a go in the morning.

Marshall (what happened to kev by the way?), ive de-wipered my rear but its the light cluster in the body and not the tailgate.

Changed my name was fed up with FR.
Didn't want a username that was car specific.

The washer problem I'm talking about affects the lamp on the body with the indicator in it.
Although you've done away with the rear wiper the washer pipe runs down the drivers side rear above the wheel arch.
I'm assuming you've disconnected yours in the tailgate?
Still worth a look