Dave's new mota ! - no interior lights?

Hi all, I'm gradually working my way through a number of issues on my new-to-me TD5.

Todays issues is a complete lack interior lights. I can switch them on manually, individually but they won't work when opening any doors. They appear to have LED bulbs rather than the std type.

I've tried the various switch positions, no go; I've checked all fuses, still no go.

Are you there Fery, I need an electronics mans help?

Cheers
Dave

Hi Dave, no worries we'll get to the end of it if you can handle a multimeter... did you reset the timer with ignition on or lock/unlock the car?... do that and if no joy we'll speak then... do you have RAVE? ... cos you'll need it for the connector views

sierrafery said:

Hi Dave, no worries we'll get to the end of it if you can handle a multimeter... did you reset the timer with ignition on or lock/unlock the car?... do that and if no joy we'll speak then... do you have RAVE? ... cos you'll need it for the connector views

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Hi Fery, I can handle a multi-meter a bit,

1. I can measure voltages but I don't know how to set mine for a continuity test?



2. Don't know what you mean by "re-set the timer", so NO I haven't done that? What timer is that?

3. Currently I don't have, or access to, any diagnostic equipment. It'll be coming, but not this month.

Cheers

Dave

the BCU has a timer for courtesy light management, if they dimmed once and the door was left open after that they'll not work untill the timer is reset, it resets if you turn ignition on or if you lock/unlock the car...but if you know the courtesy lights have never worked since you own the car is not that

for continuity test you must set the multimeter on Ohms the lowest scale, 200 in your case and get reading 0(or very close to 0 if a longer circuit is involved) for continuity

i asked you about RAVE not diagnostics , the tester is useless in this issuec, in RAVE - Electrical library there are connector views which are important if you want me to guide you through this...unless the problem is not in the most common place for this issue which is the attached connector C0484 where you must get earth on pin 16 when courtesy lights are expected so unlock open the door and measure there ... you must do that within 10 minutes after you opened the door cos the timer expires or if you could'nt do that turn ignition on/off and lock/unlock the doors ...corrosion due to water ingress is common in that plug... pin 13(purple wire) is permannent live which is OK as long as the lights are working from switch, the problem is on pin 16(purple/blue), you must get earth from BCU for courtesy lights there...measure both sides

Hi Fery sorry I forgot to answer about Rave - yes I have it on disc and in paper form.

Dave

ok then check what i said and if no joy we'll speak then(multimeter on DC V 20, negative terminal in pin 16 and positive in pin 13 in max 10 minutes after you unlocked/opened the door)... you better save RAVE in your computer to work easyer with it

sierrafery said:

the BCU has a timer for courtesy light management, if they dimmed once and the door was left open after that they'll not work untill the timer is reset, it resets if you turn ignition on or if you lock/unlock the car...but if you know the courtesy lights have never worked since you own the car is not that

for continuity test you must set the multimeter on Ohms the lowest scale, 200 in your case and get reading 0(or very close to 0 if a longer circuit is involved) for continuity

i asked you about RAVE not diagnostics , the tester is useless in this issuec, in RAVE - Electrical library there are connector views which are important if you want me to guide you through this...unless the problem is not in the most common place for this issue which is the attached connector C0484 where you must get earth on pin 16 when courtesy lights are expected so unlock open the door and measure there ... you must do that within 10 minutes after you opened the door cos the timer expires or if you could'nt do that turn ignition on/off and lock/unlock the doors ...corrosion due to water ingress is common in that plug... pin 13(purple wire) is permanent live which is OK as long as the lights are working from switch, the problem is on pin 16(purple/blue), you must get earth from BCU for courtesy lights there...measure both sides

Click to expand...

So, if I understand you correctly I need to do the following:

1. Set multimeter to 200 ohms;

2. Locate and identify connector C0484 - I assume this is in the front LHS footwell, behind a plastic panel?

3. Put the black probe to earth and the red probe to pin 16 on both plug and socket and measure result. I should be getting Zero or close to it? This will indicate IF I'm getting earth from the BCU?

Just going out to lunch so will check later.

If for any reason I don't get earth there, what do you think that implies?

Cheers
Dave

NOOOOO... you said you dont know how to make continuity test and i told you.... forget about that now... see my last post, you must measure voltage across pins 13 and 16 as to see if you get earth on pin 16 when the courtesy lights are supposed to be on... re-read everything again carefully

you can do it your way too though, important is to see if earth gets there or not...if no earth there you'll have to measure at the BCU

on a second thought dont make continuity test there cos it might be a backfeed through the bulbs and it's not good for the miltumeter...only go for voltage

Dave in case this helps you,when I fitted led interior lights(all 3 inc boot) I accidentally shorted the one fitted in front-also threw up m&s lights (auto) but with Fery's help it was a fuse which had gone.Sorted once I found correct fuse that had blown and yes led lights seem to be fine and yes they do dim down which is strange for leds.
Might be worth checking all your fuses on drivers side before you go too far

biolandy said:

Dave in case this helps you,when I fitted led interior lights(all 3 inc boot) I accidentally shorted the one fitted in front-also threw up m&s lights (auto) but with Fery's help it was a fuse which had gone.Sorted once I found correct fuse that had blown and yes led lights seem to be fine and yes they do dim down which is strange for leds.
Might be worth checking all your fuses on drivers side before you go too far

Click to expand...

Hi mate, have checked all the fuses and all are good.

Tomorrow I plan to get down to checking the voltages.

Unless some parts turn up !!!!!

Dave