Hi,

MOT man picked up that the offside number plate light wasnt working on SWMBO's Octy 2 Estate (58 plate 1.9tdi Elegance). No dashboard warning of bulb failure (dont have maxidot)

He passed it anyway and I thought 2 minute job to change the bulb. Changed it, still not working. Tested old bulb thats OK still. Bulb holder connections are tight, no corrosion. Multimeter out, no 12 volts at bulb holder. Removed complete bulb holder assembly - no 12 volts at loom plug - connections clean.

Just wondering where I go next? Read all the stories about screen wash fluid leaks so will investigate that but couldnt find anything specific about one NP light failing.

My questions (for now) are:-

1) Does the off-side light run in paralell off the nearside one i.e. could the wiring fault be between the two number plate lights.

2) If wired separately/individually, are there any loom connectors to check. If so where are they.

My starting point is probably to remove the tailgate plastic trim and see where the wire goes, then work backwards to the nearside boot trim, checking for screenwash as I go

Any advice welcome

Ian

A strange one.

I'm assuming both number plate lights are running off the same fuse?

Thanks for the reply.

Had looked through the book but couldn't find the NP lights listed against a particular fuse. Everything else is working light wise and I'd kinda assumed they wouldnt put one bulb on a fused circuit of its own.

Ian

I have the feeling you may have to take out the interior trim and see wiring.

I think the wiring is joined somewhere, as bulb error warning does not detect right or left.

Problem fixed - there is a twisted & crimped joint in the loom between the two number plate lights that had come apart. Joint was taped - not impressed!!

Soldered in a bit of wire to repair with heatshrink sleeve.

Ian

This is interesting because I'm having a similar problem from the other end, my 'bulb out' warning light came on ( I don't have maxidot ) and I checked and found my left side number plate light out. Parked up switched engine off, went back to it a couple of hours later, light lit and no warning light...

Then next day, bulb out, light lit. Went to buy a new bulb, started working again before I could fit it.

Not sure what to do now.