Both lights do not work, I have replaced the bulbs, the fuse is not blown, I have replaced the bulb housing on both sides and removed the boot panel to check the wire running from the boot to the rear of the car. All check out. There has to be something I have missed!

Has the wire fractured where it bends when opening the boot?

 

Use a multimeter to check you have 12 volts at the holders.

I took it to my mechanic today since the EPC light came on. The code said it was a brake pedal sensor. he also noticed that my rear fog lights were on when they should not be. he thinks it is a wiring issue somewhere, perhaps an earth issue. he felt that number plate issue is also related. I will find out later today or tomorrow. Thanks for the posts everyone.

 

Check the right bulbs are fitted (twin/single filament) in the right holders and not forced in the wrong way, yes it can be done. Also check bulbs have the correct location pin configuration, some have offset pins.

 

Incorrect bulb or incorrect insertion leads to all sorts of combinations of strange light symptoms.

Edited 15 October, 20187 yr by xman

As liger said, check the wires in the rubber gaitor to the rear hatch. Likely to have gone brittle with age and wires break and short when insulation crumbles off where they bend when opening hatch.

Liger and xman...thank both of you so much! Both of you were right. The wire in the gaiter going into the hatch was indeed broken. You had to open the gaiter to see the wires. The mechanic ran a new wire from there up to the plate lights. Indeed, I had the wrong bulbs as well. I wound up with a EPC code fault which was pointing to a brake sensor, but the mechanic felt all of the issues were related. Happy to say that plate lights work, running lights are correct and no EPC fault!! All this for 50 quid!!!! Off to NCT tomorrow and put this issue in the rear view mirror!

Glad you have got it fixed.

Thanks