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| mk1collector Member Since: 17 Sep 2009 Location: West Yorkshire Posts: 6769   
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Is the grey plug that connects the tow socket wiring to the loom (under the drivers side rear arch at the back) clean and free from corrosion? Ray
My build thread http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic17615.html |
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15th Jul 2017 6:30pm |
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| stigomery Member Since: 10 May 2016 Location: Cambridge Posts: 277  
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I can't find this grey plug. It's a TD5 and the loom seems to go striaght into the chassis in front of the fuel tank and I assume pops up somewhere at the front.
Fitted a new socket and still getting 4.6v to the side lights. This is mighty frustrating |
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16th Jul 2017 1:50pm |
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| Rashers Member Since: 21 Jun 2015 Location: Norfolk Posts: 3337 
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Have you checked the earth? Could be a poor earth connection?
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16th Jul 2017 2:08pm |
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| mk1collector Member Since: 17 Sep 2009 Location: West Yorkshire Posts: 6769
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There should be a grey plug behind a plastic shield right above the rear crossmember at the back of the wheelarch, sort of behind the fog light. Ray My build thread http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic17615.html |
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16th Jul 2017 2:13pm |
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| stigomery Member Since: 10 May 2016 Location: Cambridge Posts: 277
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Thanks. Had a poke in behind that panel and there's definitely no connector. The cabling splits in a Y coming out of the chassis going to towing electrics and driver's side light cluster.
Any idea where it comes up at the front of the vehicle and I can check voltages there? I assume earth is good since the indicators work. |
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16th Jul 2017 3:39pm |
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| stigomery Member Since: 10 May 2016 Location: Cambridge Posts: 277
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Update -definitely not an earth problem, ran a cable direct to the battery -ve terminal and still only getting just over 4v from the side-lights pins.
I have LED lights fitted (except main headlights) - I assume this won 't be causing the issue (and I seem to recall similar problem prior to installing the LED sidelights). Thanks |
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17th Jul 2017 11:40am |
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| stigomery Member Since: 10 May 2016 Location: Cambridge Posts: 277
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Well I've been back at it again... and... I found something... not a nice grey box @mk1 but this fine craftsmanship...
 Click image to enlarge So let's take it apart... mmmmm... beautiful twisted pairs... Click image to enlarge It gets better... Click image to enlarge Well... needless to say, thanks to you @mk1 for setting me on the right track... I NOW HAVE FULLY OPERATIONAL TOWING LIGHTS... We can now go on holiday... phew! |
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17th Jul 2017 8:09pm |
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| mk1collector Member Since: 17 Sep 2009 Location: West Yorkshire Posts: 6769
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 wow, that's quality workmanship right there. At least when you've fixed it you'll know it's a good job  Ray
My build thread http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic17615.html |
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17th Jul 2017 9:15pm |
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| V8GPC Member Since: 18 Jul 2016 Location: Manchester Posts: 289
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are you going to show us the quality of your repair?
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18th Jul 2017 6:56am |
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| blackwolf Member Since: 03 Nov 2009 Location: South West England Posts: 16871 
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This does seem to be a common problem with Defenders that have at some stage been owned by a cheapskate who thinks that is it more sensible to butcher the harness than to buy the correct 'plug & play' towing socket kit. I found the same thing on mine (although I still had the grey connector, it just had most of the wires cut and was hanging by a thread). It is annoying since it is virtually impossible to revert to the 'proper' connector once this vandalism has been done.
I also can't help but think that any saving in parts is more that outweighed if the then paid someone to wire up the socket. |
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18th Jul 2017 9:00am |
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| stigomery Member Since: 10 May 2016 Location: Cambridge Posts: 277
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Ha ha, not on your nelly... it was a quick fix to get through the holiday. I had to strip back the wires as they were badly corroded, cleaned up, crimped, insulated and gaffered... I will locate and purchase a proper connector when I get back! |
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18th Jul 2017 9:11am |
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| zsd-puma Member Since: 09 Aug 2016 Location: Kent Posts: 2720 
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the great thing about the genuine Land Rover harnesses is the back of the towing socket is sealed with glue, to make it water proof too.
Bodged towing electrics isn't unique to Defenders really, i've seen so many cars were people have just bought a cheap generic kits and scotch locked the wiring into the tail lights, it never lasts. |
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18th Jul 2017 2:25pm |
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| Thon Member Since: 22 Nov 2015 Location: Salisbury Plain Posts: 696
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The sealing is extremely useful I agree - particularly if you're a slob like me with the socket hanging upside down off a skanky cable tie because I didn't have time to fit the correct drop plate yet ....
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18th Jul 2017 4:21pm |
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