Side lights us on one side only

[benidoleig]

Hi i have just bought my first Defender. It is an ex edf 2006 2.5tdf(i think!) with 100 000 mles. So i am completely new to this. Can someone help? Both the front and rear offside side lights( those little round ones) do not work when switched on. All the other lights work correctly. I have checked bulbs and they are ok. I am sure someone will no the answer to this problem. Thank you.

 

[ratty]

Hi i have just bought my first Defender. It is an ex edf 2006 2.5tdf(i think!) with 100 000 mles. So i am completely new to this. Can someone help? Both the front and rear offside side lights( those little round ones) do not work when switched on. All the other lights work correctly. I have checked bulbs and they are ok. I am sure someone will no the answer to this problem. Thank you.

change the fuse.

 

[Paul D]

If the bulbs are OK, check the bulb holders for a good earth.

In fact, anything electrical check your earths .. Cured virtually all my S3 niggles simply by replacing the battery/body earth strap and adding a secondary (additional) earth strap between the body parts and chassis ..

 

[skint-as-usual]

I'd go with the fuse.
The side light wiring goes into the lower RHS fuse holder set on a single thin(ish) red cable.
The fuse holders are to the front of the main gear box lever in the cab. (Two thumb screws to access).
This cable terminates on the second up fuse holder. This fuse is for one side of the defender's sidelights. (5A from memory).
This cable then is hopped down (still red) to the bottom fuse holder. This fuse is for the other side of the defenders sidelights (still 5A).

So:
Either one of these fuses has blown - check them both
or
the jumper wire has become detached.

 

[skint-as-usual]

Probably should have clarified that is what mine looks like (from memory), a 1989 90.
Oops

 

[benidoleig]

I'd go with the fuse.
The side light wiring goes into the lower RHS fuse holder set on a single thin(ish) red cable.
The fuse holders are to the front of the main gear box lever in the cab. (Two thumb screws to access).
This cable terminates on the second up fuse holder. This fuse is for one side of the defender's sidelights. (5A from memory).
This cable then is hopped down (still red) to the bottom fuse holder. This fuse is for the other side of the defenders sidelights (still 5A).

So:
Either one of these fuses has blown - check them both
or
the jumper wire has become detached.

Thanks everyone for the help. Yes it was the fuse(10a). Great forum!

 

[ratty]

Thanks everyone for the help. Yes it was the fuse(10a). Great forum!

Nice easy fix.

 

[Tronicus Maximus]

I think somone should make a sticky just titled: CHECK YOUR FUSES FIRST

Its the first thing to check!

 

[solitarybird]

Thanks for this thread - I thought it was a bulb, then the trailer wiring then sussed it was all one side. Then read this and replaced the fuse. Brilliant.

 

[gemsdad]

change the fuse.

to what,a bag of chips.

 

[timtheenchanteruk]

I think somone should make a sticky just titled: CHECK YOUR FUSES FIRST

Its the first thing to check!

Followed by clear your earths.

Electrical problems, 3 common causes,

1, fuse gone
2, bad earth
3, bad contact (switch or lampholder in case of lamps)

 

[livers]

to what,a bag of chips.

cut down 6" nail should be OK for 10A

 

[Oldseadog]

cut down 6" nail should be OK for 10A

They're blade fuses, so you would have to wrap them in tinfoil first and then shove the foil into the contacts!

Mine are 5A and I have two of them next to each other, bottom row left hand side.

Think about it first

 

[livers]

They're blade fuses, so you would have to wrap them in tinfoil first and then shove the foil into the contacts!

Mine are 5A and I have two of them next to each other, bottom row left hand side.

Think about it first

Sorry wasn't thinking straight, just rip the fuse box out and twist the wires together, wrap the join in parcel tape if you are safety concious.
Isn't it odd that car thieves never seem to have problems with electrics