Freelander mk1 interior lights

rrjohnboy · Oct 25, 2019

I have bought a freelander mk1 pre facelift 1.8 petrol (yes, i know). All of the interior lights are out, so i took it to an auto electrician, who told me it was due to water coming in through the aerial and the computer had gone. He also informed me of the cost and as he wants to supply dealer parts I said no thank you.

I assume the computer he refers to is the PCB. If this is correct, does it come as part of the main interior light assembly?

Thanks in advance for any input.

Regards

Nodge68 · Oct 25, 2019

rrjohnboy said:
I have bought a freelander mk1 pre facelift 1.8 petrol (yes, i know).

Nothing wrong with that.

rrjohnboy said:
All of the interior lights are out, so i took it to an auto electrician, who told me it was due to water coming in through the aerial and the computer had gone. He also informed me of the cost and as he wants to supply dealer parts I said no thank you.

He could be referring to the Central Control Unit (CCU) which is behind the interior fuse box. The interior lights are grounded by the CCU, when the doors are open.

The interior lights take a permanent live feed from the fuse box, so the fuse is the place to start.

rrjohnboy said:
I assume the computer he refers to is the PCB. If this is correct, does it come as part of the main interior light assembly?

The interior light PCB isn't available separately, so if it's damaged or corroded, then a complete new light will be needed.
A damaged PCB on the front interior light won't stop the rear or boot lights from working, but a broken fuse or damaged CCU will do.

rrjohnboy · Oct 26, 2019

Nodge68 said:
Nothing wrong with that.

He could be referring to the Central Control Unit (CCU) which is behind the interior fuse box. The interior lights are grounded by the CCU, when the doors are open.

The interior lights take a permanent live feed from the fuse box, so the fuse is the place to start.

The interior light PCB isn't available separately, so if it's damaged or corroded, then a complete new light will be needed.
A damaged PCB on the front interior light won't stop the rear or boot lights from working, but a broken fuse or damaged CCU will do.

To be honest I think it could be that the interior light is at fault because of what the AE said. But I think the should out that the CCU is probably gone too due to all lights being out. Whe you say the CCU is behind the interior fuse box, does this mean the fuse box needs to be removed?

Nodge68 · Oct 26, 2019

rrjohnboy said:
To be honest I think it could be that the interior light is at fault because of what the AE said. But I think the should out that the CCU is probably gone too due to all lights being out. Whe you say the CCU is behind the interior fuse box, does this mean the fuse box needs to be removed?

The CCU is ruggedized, so it's unlikely to fail within the fuse rating. I'd be making sure that there's a permanent 12 Volt feed to the lights first.

The CCU is bolted to the back of the interior fuse box, so the fuse box needs removing to access it.

If you're sure the CCU has failed, then you can probably get it fixed (it'll only be a MosFet), or get a replacement, be that new or second hand. A new one will need programming to the car, but a second hand one will need to come with the locking fobs.

Steve in Antrim · Oct 27, 2019

Quite likely fuse has been removed because interior lights will not go off due to the problem with the CCU Nodge mentioned above. Does the clock work? That is on same fuse. Fuse is the fifth from the right on the top row in the fuse box behind the driver side glove box. Mine has same issue and I have removed the fuse until I get it sorted. Problem was caused on mine by previous owner replacing interior bulbs with LEDs.

rrjohnboy · Dec 3, 2019

Many thanks to all your responses. My issue has developed a little. I have the main light on now after i replaced the rear light bulb. The following is the scenario:

Front interior light (not map light) is on when the rear interior light is off;
The front interior light is off when you close the door, but it come after a few seconds, basically the opposite of what its meant to do;
The map lights on the front light pod do not come on at all.

All bulbs have been checked as have the fuses.

Any ideas are welcome

Regards

John

rob_bell · Dec 4, 2019

First, I love the 1.8 FL1 - but I am biased because I have one too.

Mine's a 2001 3-door

Second, I was going to suggest the fuse too - it's just a 5A and supplies the clock, but I see that's already been suggested and that things have moved on a bit. If the main lamp comes on, that is good news.

The problem now described has all the hallmark of a bad earthing route - and if water has been getting in, then that seems logical. Time to break out the multi-meter and laboriously start working through all the wires and connections. This sounds fixable.

rrjohnboy · Dec 4, 2019

Hi Rob

Poor earthing may well be it. I had an auto electrcian take a look and he said it was the front light cluster and wanted £250 to not quite fix it. I've changed the cluster with a reconditioned one but its the same issue as the old unit. I'm actually glad no one has come back and said it was a known fault that costs allot to fix.

Many thanks once again Rob and everyone who has also given comment.

Regards

John

Nodge68 · Dec 5, 2019

£250 for a £60 (new) light is a taking the pee. It takes just a few minutes to replace it too, so there's no justification for that quote.

If the light is going in reverse, then it's not a normal fault. The CCU grounds the light bulbs, which are fed with a permanent live from the fuse box. I'll give it some thought and get back to you.

Colthebrummie · Dec 5, 2019

Get a torch.

Col

Nodge68 · Dec 5, 2019

Ok. So can I just confirm. Is.it correct your front interior light now works when the doors are opened, but the rear light doesn't? However the front interior light now goes out when the doors are closed, but comes on again after a delay?

Does the rear come on if you press the button?
Does the boot light come on?

Nick the greek · Dec 5, 2019

I could be totally off the mark here but stick with me here, can I suggest disconnecting all the lights and starting again? My only basis for this being my interior light was ruined by a leaking aerial, I bought a used one and fitted it only to find the buttons working but nothing on unlocking or open the doors, took it off and tried again and found the same, gave up and left it as it was dark, the day after all the functions are working as they should be.... just some weird luck or something in the ccu has re calibrated?

Freelander mk1 interior lights

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