Rear Lights on an Estate Intermitent

[hvanman]

Hi, my son was behind me yesterday and it seems my rear lights on the estate are intermitent. All rear lights can go off and then back on again, maybe after going over a bump? I've had a look behind the N/S lamp and nothing there seems to be causing a problem, are there any other known problem area's?

Many thanks, Simon

[citsncycles]

Sounds like a bad earth. If the connectors and light units themselves are in good condition, then it may be the other end - I think it may be on a stud behind the plastic panel down the side of the boot area, but I'm not certain.

[dyates2]

hello Simon,
forget a bad earth terminal, the whole thing sounds terminal to me !!!
just think if the old bill spots it.points on your licence, a fine or worse......cut your loses now simon, sell it (to me!!)

seriously, bad earth is indeed your starting point.
i would suspect if both sides were going off and on together, there must be a shared earth. find it,clean it and if need be, remake it. it this fails run a new,good earth to the lamps to see if that helps. also that red estate had a tow bar. check how it is wired into the rear light loom.
Were the lights going off and on together when you did something else? such as indicated or pressed the brake pedal? if so even more likeley an earthing issue.Note though, i have had cars where rear light bulb holder problems have affected both sides when indicating or braking.
Happy hunting.
Daren

[hvanman]

Hi, thanks for the replies. I discovered that the lights on warning was also not working whenever the rear lights were faulty, so after a slight red herring with the fuse box, I discovered that the steering column switch was the culprit. I've given it a good dosing in contact cleaner and a work out and will watch things carefully.

I did take apart a spare old one and discovered what a pain they are to get back together, so won't strip this one unless I have no choice....

I also discovered that whoever designed the assorted plastic mouldings around the steering column was clearly on some form of drugs.... working on a DS is so much easier...