Electrics headache!

Alex Szarawarski · Nov 3, 2019

Hi All,
I need some help. I think I have an earthing problem! Here’s the symptoms;
1. Brake lights work but right hand side is brighter!
2. All indicators work, but when I indicate right it flashes like there’s a fault.
3. The side lights have stopped working.

I have changed the lights front and back recently, but they all worked when they got changed over!???

I am a novice with electrics, so please be kind and make sure its explained in idiot terms.

Help please.

CheerS

Alex

Woodmancarter · Nov 3, 2019

Hi I have a simular problem with my td5 defender it started a couple of weeks ago my side lights and main worked one day and then the next they didint from what I have read it sounds fairly common for mine wiring loom starting to break down. Lookforward to any other suggestions.paul

mick 1986 · Nov 3, 2019

Alex Szarawarski said:
Hi All,
I need some help. I think I have an earthing problem! Here’s the symptoms;
1. Brake lights work but right hand side is brighter!
2. All indicators work, but when I indicate right it flashes like there’s a fault.
3. The side lights have stopped working.

I have changed the lights front and back recently, but they all worked when they got changed over!???

I am a novice with electrics, so please be kind and make sure its explained in idiot terms.

Help please.

CheerS

Alex

With the brake lights, swap the bulbs over, left to right, before doing anything else. It could simply be one bulb is older and less efficient. If the fault moves, it’s the bulb, if it doesn’t, it could be the voltage at each bulb is different, or the earth at one side needs looking at.

The indicator fault could be any number of things, but check all bulbs first, especially the small side repeaters.

Litch · Nov 3, 2019

Always check the earth first as many times that will be your problem.
If you are not certain if the earth connection is good (undo, clean & grease the connections) then run a temporary one from the batt -VE terminal direct to the rear earth point, proves it one way or the other. If it clears the fault then then you have conclusively proved that to be the fault and you can look into providing a new permanent earth.

Sofasurfer · Nov 3, 2019

I have similar problems...... But only when it rains. Check for water in the fuse box behind the gear lever, it seeps in through the bulk head. Check there is no water behind the indicator/light glass.

mystery · Nov 4, 2019

as said by all check the earths and check the connections on the left hand light is connected to the correct wire (side and brake crossed ,brake on side light wire and side light on brake wire hence the left not as bright as right)could also be a bad earth and the indicator is earthing through brake lamp and the year and model is ?

Alex Szarawarski · Nov 4, 2019

mystery said:
as said by all check the earths and check the connections on the left hand light is connected to the correct wire (side and brake crossed ,brake on side light wire and side light on brake wire hence the left not as bright as right)could also be a bad earth and the indicator is earthing through brake lamp and the year and model is ?

Hi, sorry its at 1989 defender 90, if that helps? Cheers

Electrics headache!

Alex Szarawarski

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Woodmancarter

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mick 1986

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Litch

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Sofasurfer

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mystery

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Alex Szarawarski

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