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johnnyd



Member Since: 13 Apr 2013
Location: Chippenham
Posts: 1006

United Kingdom 2008 Defender 90 Puma 2.4 XS CSW Stornoway Grey
Side/main dash light not working and some side lights off
Hi All, just got in the truck and the side/main dashboard light does not come on, and two opposing side lights are off on front and rear, is this indicative of a bulb gone somewhere, or more serious?

JD 2008 TDCi 2.4 XS CSW
Post #585280 15th Dec 2016 12:32pm
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RED-DOT



Member Since: 29 Jun 2009
Location: stirling
Posts: 2363

Scotland 
A fuse has blown. Under steering wheel. 2008 RS4 gone, 123d M Sport, and a Puma 90 XS..
Post #585284 15th Dec 2016 12:53pm
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johnnyd



Member Since: 13 Apr 2013
Location: Chippenham
Posts: 1006

United Kingdom 2008 Defender 90 Puma 2.4 XS CSW Stornoway Grey
Indeed it was, I checked the bulbs and they were OK so I was a little worried, replaced with spare and all now OK.

Any reasons for a blown fuse given all the bulbs are OK and dry ?

Many Thanks

JD 2008 TDCi 2.4 XS CSW
Post #585289 15th Dec 2016 1:14pm
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RED-DOT



Member Since: 29 Jun 2009
Location: stirling
Posts: 2363

Scotland 
Corrosion or water in the trailer sockets cause this. 2008 RS4 gone, 123d M Sport, and a Puma 90 XS..
Post #585292 15th Dec 2016 1:19pm
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dorsetsmith



Member Since: 30 Oct 2011
Location: South West
Posts: 4554

Trailer socket ? water logged
Post #585293 15th Dec 2016 1:19pm
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johnnyd



Member Since: 13 Apr 2013
Location: Chippenham
Posts: 1006

United Kingdom 2008 Defender 90 Puma 2.4 XS CSW Stornoway Grey
hmmm could be, the trailer dash light comes on briefly everytime i use an indicator, the socket looks dry though

hmmm 2008 TDCi 2.4 XS CSW
Post #585309 15th Dec 2016 2:24pm
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custom90



Member Since: 21 Jan 2010
Location: South West, England.
Posts: 19572

United Kingdom 
^^^^ Normal.

However, the issue you are having sounds like earth issues, most likely the rear harness. Diesel$ Live$ Matter. ⛽️🛢️👨‍🔧🧰⚙️ RED, WHITE & BOOST! 🇬🇧
Post #585311 15th Dec 2016 2:32pm
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johnnyd



Member Since: 13 Apr 2013
Location: Chippenham
Posts: 1006

United Kingdom 2008 Defender 90 Puma 2.4 XS CSW Stornoway Grey
By rear harness, do you mean the loom going into the trailer socket ?

Thanks

DJ 2008 TDCi 2.4 XS CSW
Post #585316 15th Dec 2016 2:52pm
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RED-DOT



Member Since: 29 Jun 2009
Location: stirling
Posts: 2363

Scotland 
If you disconnect the large grey multiplug under the drivers side rear wing it will isolate the short. Plug will be a mess inside. 2008 RS4 gone, 123d M Sport, and a Puma 90 XS..
Post #585318 15th Dec 2016 2:58pm
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johnnyd



Member Since: 13 Apr 2013
Location: Chippenham
Posts: 1006

United Kingdom 2008 Defender 90 Puma 2.4 XS CSW Stornoway Grey
It was getting dark when i got back so couldn't look for this, if I need to drive first thing and the fuse blows again, is that the worst that can happen? Or can i lose more electrics?

JD 2008 TDCi 2.4 XS CSW
Post #585348 15th Dec 2016 6:05pm
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custom90



Member Since: 21 Jan 2010
Location: South West, England.
Posts: 19572

United Kingdom 
johnnyd wrote:
By rear harness, do you mean the loom going into the trailer socket ?

Thanks

DJ

Yes, or as above suggested under the wheel arch the under arch connection.

Earth point I suggested was on the transfer box, for the rear loom.
If poor continuity it can have bizarre effects.

However, if fuses are blowing it'll be live short issues.

Id say moisture in a plug or socket somewhere is high probability as suggested and possibly causing voltage leakage into the loom.
Equally a poor earth can cause this, but tends to not blow fuses.

So I'd check all plugs sockets and holders, ideally test too whilst at it. Diesel$ Live$ Matter. ⛽️🛢️👨‍🔧🧰⚙️ RED, WHITE & BOOST! 🇬🇧
Post #585357 15th Dec 2016 6:45pm
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johnnyd



Member Since: 13 Apr 2013
Location: Chippenham
Posts: 1006

United Kingdom 2008 Defender 90 Puma 2.4 XS CSW Stornoway Grey
RED-DOT wrote:
If you disconnect the large grey multiplug under the drivers side rear wing it will isolate the short. Plug will be a mess inside.


I don't see any wires or plugs under the drivers side rear wing, the wire from the trailer socket seems to go up into the area behind the rear speaker, and I can see two multiples in there if i remove the speaker, is that it? Also i can't seem to narrow down the issue, replaced the fuse, and used the lights for the first time today, and they stayed on for about 2 mins and the fuse has blown again, I don't think its water ingress in the trailer socket, and those multiplugs in the rear speaker hole are good, any pointers from anyone much appreciated

JD 2008 TDCi 2.4 XS CSW
Post #586557 20th Dec 2016 4:20pm
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Rickydodah



Member Since: 14 Jul 2014
Location: East Sussex
Posts: 1091

If I remember the multi plug for the trailer socket is behind the plastic 'splash' shield under the driver's side rear wheel arch. The shield is bolted on and protects the rear lights and wiring and it's not readily apparent if it's covered with mud. Thumbs Up I started with nothing and still have most of it left!
Post #586595 20th Dec 2016 7:10pm
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johnnyd



Member Since: 13 Apr 2013
Location: Chippenham
Posts: 1006

United Kingdom 2008 Defender 90 Puma 2.4 XS CSW Stornoway Grey
I am really struggling with this now, I haven't taken the plug apart yet as its really tricky to get to, but it looks clean and in good condition behind this plastic plate at the rear of the wheel arch, its kept it very well protected, the trailer socket itself is in a clean and good condition, so i think the problem may be elsewhere. Like I say the lights work for under a minute lets say, then the fuse blows, what other lights are fed off that fuse for me to inspect?

Thanks

JD 2008 TDCi 2.4 XS CSW
Post #586725 21st Dec 2016 1:25pm
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Balvaig



Member Since: 19 Feb 2016
Location: Fife
Posts: 719

Scotland 2016 Defender 90 Puma 2.2 Landmark LE Corris Grey
There is no simple solution to a blown fuse in these circumstances. You have to identify all circuits on the particular fuse and test or eliminate. Unplugging the trailer loom under the wheel arch is part of the elimination process. As others have said, this is a known trouble spot and a good starting point.
Post #586728 21st Dec 2016 1:48pm
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