Hi All,

 

I may see this post deleted as I'm sure I'm possibly breaking some rules - this is a question on a Mk4 Polo (2007) but assume it's all going to be very similar on the Fabia Mk2.

So, newly purchased - only one of the two number plate lights was working. Took both units out, the working one has all the wires going to it, the non-working one, the plug is damaged and there is no sign of the cables anywhere!

Had endoscope out, tried everything, but just cannot find the missing cable. So, it was suggested that I could run two cables from the existing, working, light over to the other one and get it all working.

 

Long story short, without doing much to the car (simply threading the cables across ready to be spliced in) the existing unit has also stopped working.

Found the fuse, looked OK, but replaced anyway - still nothing.

I have now ordered a pair if new light units, confirmed working etc.

 

While waiting for these to arrive, I got the old multimeter out (set to 20v DC), just to make sure there was some power there.

Engine Off, Lights off - No reading - Expected

Engine Off, Lights on - No reading - assume number plate lights don't illuminate when engine off.

Engine On, Lights on - Definite reading, but I think I'm seeing like 0.05v, which in my mind seems very low.

 

I can replicate the above every time, so I know I'm not touching what I shouldn't, that there is definitely a voltage reading when the engine is running and the lights are on. But 0.05v? I mean, it's only a bulb?

My plan was still to cut the two wires running to the remaining plug, splice in two new cables, add a plug at the end of that and run both number plate lights from the one feed. But if 0.05v (if I'm reading it right) is not correct, I'll get an auto electrician in before I start potentially making things worse.

 

Cheers All.

With my car all the sidelights, including the number plate lights, come on with the engine off.

Cheers for the reply.

I think I'm now declaring this issue above and beyond my knowledge and I'll seek and pay for an expert to come out and fix.

I just went back out to the car and I cut the plug off the end of the two cables - so I was left with just a brown and a blue wire. Ran the multimeter over that and got the exact same results - nothing until both engine and lights are on, then seeing 0.05v.

Took out a brand new bulb and popped a wire at either end of it - nothing.

 

So, I'm waiting on some new numberplate modules from a similar car, confirmed working. I've already bought in replacement plugs - once everything has arrived I'll shop around and find myself an auto-electrician to fix.

Won't be cheap, buy hey-ho.