No stop lights, no fog light..i have today to fix!

[Emma&Al]

Hello - went for MOT and failed on stop lights and fog light. Previous owner told me the stop lights were intermittent (!)..I've changed bulbs today but no luck.
So here's what I'm thinking: Please tell me if I've got it right or wrong!

I've read the article at the top of the FORUM about checking the earths - behind the fuse box. I've never done this before so might give it a go in half hour or so. Do I have to disconnect the earth to the battery first?

Is it feasible that this could be the problem?

Do I just need to clean them all?

If this doesn't work could it be the brake light switch? If yes, can I fix this myself given that Im relatively OK with following instructions, but a bit of a novice also?

Thanks all - Unfortunately they guy at the MOT place didn't replace bulbs and retest for me...he was closing for the day, and only one MOT that day..which was me! Which means my MOT has now expired and I desperately need to be back driving!

[CovKid]

You'll struggle without a multimeter. Have you checked plugs on back of light units?

[clift_d]

First things first get the wiring diagram to your van from here:
http://syncrosport.com/info/wiring/

The earth crown behind the fuse box shouldn't really affect the brake lights or fog lights. I think with both these circuits the feed (+12V) comes from the battery through the fuse box to the various switches at the front of the vehicle then routes back down the van to the various bulbs in the tailight clusters and then off to an earth (0V) in the engine bay.

Have you checked your fuses to both the brake and fog light circuits are okay in the fuse box at the front.

Check all your connectors. Check the plugs to the tailight clusters at the back are in properly as above. Also, there's a 7-pin cylindrical connector in the black junction box in the engine bay that connects the reversing / fog / indicator / brake light feeds from the front wiring loom to the wiring for the tailight clusters - check it's plugged in properly.

Are your indicators working at the back? If not then that might indicate an earth problem to the tailight clusters

There's a thread here about troubleshooting brake lights not working, that runs through some checks:
https://club8090.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=39&t=142477

[MidLifeCrisis]

^^^WHS

Also, with the foglights - with the headlights on, when you turn the foglights on, does the little indicator light on the foglight switch light up??

[marlinowner]

If you have a towbar, check the wiring where it is connected to the van wiring as could be problems there depending on how the connection were made.

[clift_d]

Also, with the foglights - with the headlights on, when you turn the foglights on, does the little indicator light on the foglight switch light up??

Just to add that if the light in the switch comes on then that would indicate that you have a +12V feed as far as the switch.

[Emma&Al]

Thanks all - I really need to buy a mulitmeter...can anyone suggest one that is not too expensive?

Clift-d and Midlifecrisis - no, I noticed the little light on the fog light switch doesnt come on...
Marlinowner..no tow bar

Well, i've given in and am taking it back to the test centre today for them to fix and re MOT.. I really want to be able to do little jobs like this myself, but its all a learning curve!!

Really appreciate the help, thank you guys

Emma

[Emma&Al]

Clift-d - thanks for your links - unfortunately Ive run out of time, as I was at work yesterday and no time to check - but its helpful to know in the future if this happens and I really want to get more familiar with the workings of the van, so thank you
I think I know the little black box you're talking about.
Yes the indicators and all other lights are working fine.

Its now in the garages hands as of 8.30am today!

Thanks again
Emma

[AdrianC]

Thanks all - I really need to buy a mulitmeter...can anyone suggest one that is not too expensive?

I'm on my third of these...
http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0001K9XKW" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The previous two didn't die in any way that you can blame on the meter - one went awol, the other got left under a leaky bit of roof. IMHO you can't really beat 'em for the price.

I think I'd be starting by making sure they weren't actually two completely separate problems...
Brake light switch?
Are you trying the fogs with the headlights on? Is it just bulb...? Is it a built-into-cluster or a dangly-below-bumper?

[ghost123uk]

Nice meter Adrian, but a couple of features being paid for that most DIY'ers won't use (HFE test, Data hold,) I noticed one on there (Amazon) that looked good value for money at only £5.60 ( LINK ) It includes a 10A range which many cheap meters don't.

Emma, let us know what the garage find, and how much they charged to find it

[MidLifeCrisis]

Anyone got any experience of this one from Maplins .... only £10!!
http://www.maplin.co.uk/p/maplin-automo ... ckup-n58fu

It measures the usual plus RPM and frequency which both might be useful additions !!!

(Reviews on the site for it are patchy but people only tend to comment when stuff goes wrong so I tend to employ a 'pinch of salt' attitude to reviews?!?)

But to summarise - multimeter are as cheap as chips these days and 'almost' any one will be good enough for the sort of measurement we tend to do (i.e. has it got 12v?, has it got ground?, has it got continuity?) so there really is no reason not to get one!!

[ghost123uk]

It looks fine and good value for money, though most of us don't need a frequency counter, RPM measure and Dwell (unless you are running a beetle 009 points dizzy ) I might get one though

[MidLifeCrisis]

It looks fine and good value for money, though most of us don't need a frequency counter, RPM measure and Dwell (unless you are running a beetle 009 points dizzy ) I might get one though

B*gger - just noticed it has been 'Discontinued' !!!
There goes my fun purchase!!

[CovKid]

Just noticed this. A worthless tool for sure: http://www.maplin.co.uk/p/maplin-automo ... ster-a19qx" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[ghost123uk]

Just noticed this. A worthless tool for sure: http://www.maplin.co.uk/p/maplin-automo ... ster-a19qx" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;