Loaded the boot up with stuff for an event a couple of days ago and on starting up I was greeted with the bulb failure warning light on the dash panel :'(

Checked all the usual suspects and at first I couldn't see which bulb was the problem. Finally, on what must have been the third circumnavigation of the car, I noticed that both rear number plate lights were out. Very curious that both should fail together I thought, more likely a connector problem perhaps. Having no time to check further - and no spare number plate bulbs - I completed my journey which fortunately was quite short and not in total darkness.

On unloading the car, I noticed that the hinged plastic cover around the tailgate lock was stuck in the down position (there was a small stone lodged there preventing it from springing back up). So I removed the obstruction and closed the boot, only to find that the warning light had gone out and the lights were both on.

The problem hasn't reccurred, and I haven't had chance to re-wedge the cover again to see if it returns, but for the life of me I can't see how the one thing would effect the other?

Glad it's not just me then...

However spent an interesting but ultimately fruitless 20 minutes trying to re-create the problem at lunchtime by wedging the flap at a variety of angles. Needless to say the warning light stayed off and the number plate lights stayed on... :no:

Digging up my own thread from the mists of time, because the problem has returned and this time I am sure it has nothing to do with that little plastic flap...

The orange bulb failure light lit up on the dash and, following a stop, when restarting the maxidot also displayed 'License plate bulb defective'. Looking at the rear of the car, neither bulb was lit. Arrived home and decided to investigate next morning, when of course they were working again. And continued to work for several days. Just as I was thinking it was another isolated occurrence as in my original post, it happened again.

So I took out both bulb holders, checked the bulbs (which were fine) and removed and reconnected the connectors accompanied by a liberal dose of contact cleaner. Reassembled and working for a couple more days, but now they are off again (accompanied by the warning light and maxidot message). Probably working again tomorrow though...

Has anyone else experienced anything similar, and more critically if so, what is the solution?

Is it because the bulbs are slightly loose in the holders? Slamming the boot may dislodge them enough to disturb the contacts? Try bending the contacts together gently to 'clamp' the bulb in tightly.

I don't suppose it's the old washer pipe problem causing this?

Is it because the bulbs are slightly loose in the holders? Slamming the boot may dislodge them enough to disturb the contacts? Try bending the contacts together gently to 'clamp' the bulb in tightly.

I don't suppose it's the old washer pipe problem causing this?

Still not working this morning...

The bulbs seemed to be firm in the holders, however I am going to put two new bulbs in today (even though the current ones have not actually failed) so I will try bending the holders a little at the same time.

I don't think I have the infamous rear washer problem - it sprays water OK and the boot/wheel well are totally dry.

Well the problem continues...intermittently.

Replaced both bulbs, checked holders and connectors to holders all to no avail. It seems to be related to opening and closing the tailgate - if the 'number plate light defective' appears on the maxidot (with accompanying bulb failure warning light) when the ignition is switched on, then switching off and opening/firmly closing the tailgate makes them work again 75% of the time. So it really suggests a loose or bad connection elsewhere in the tailgate wiring. With MOT due in a week I really do need to sort this.

Does anyone who has had cause to remove the trim from inside the tailgate know whether there are any other connectors in there? I imagine there must be one (or more) so that the tailgate wiring loom (for lock/number plate lights/washer/wiper & HL brake light) could be disconnected from the rest of the car in order to remove the tailgate if necessary. And if so, which trim panel is is behind - the bottom section, the trim around the window or the headliner trim panel inside the car body?

I have looked on ElsaWin but cannot find a useful diagram.

Hi CCS,

 

Did you ever figure out what caused this? Have the same problem on my own vehicle now, suspecting wire harness between chassis and back door.

Thanks,

 

Ole

Trying my luck to see if this problem was ever sorted out since I have a similar problem...

 

On my 2012 Skoda superb, the lights are on only when my tailgate is partially open. If I open it fully they go off and if I close it they go off, so only in a range in the middle they seem to work. Anyone with a similar problem that they managed to solve?

@Skystalker

 

You're slumming it in the Octavia section.

 

I would imagine the problem is straight forward-a wire continuity issue where it flexes between body and tailgate.

Edited 10 January, 20215 yr by MicMac

On 11/01/2021 at 04:16, Skystalker said:

Trying my luck to see if this problem was ever sorted out since I have a similar problem...

 

On my 2012 Skoda superb, the lights are on only when my tailgate is partially open. If I open it fully they go off and if I close it they go off, so only in a range in the middle they seem to work. Anyone with a similar problem that they managed to solve?

i am recently owner of skoda octavia scout .looking under my tailgate i find an after market wire ,having 3rd brake light fault showing i removed panels,found loose connection to LED 3rd brake light ,, BUT tracingextra after market wire i find its soldered onto pos side of numberplate festoon bulb holder ..is this possible a bypass for wiring hinge problem ??

On 10/01/2021 at 19:30, MicMac said:

@Skystalker

 

You're slumming it in the Octavia section.

 

I would imagine the problem is straight forward-a wire continuity issue where it flexes between body and tailgate.

Hi, just saw this thread had a new post and it reminded me of posting a reply to your commwnt. In the picture you can see how the wires looked like. 

it looks like hinge wires need some attention in your photo .thanks for the reply ,