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Merv Jones



Member Since: 13 Nov 2018
Location: Huntingdon,Cambs
Posts: 13

United Kingdom 1996 Defender 90 300 Tdi HT Arles Blue
Dash lights and radio not working. Defender 300Tdi
Evening all!
I'm a bit of a numpty when it comes to electrics so I'm hoping some of you fine people might be able to help....

As the nights are getting dark and my eyesight isn't getting any better I replaced the dashboard bulbs (speedo,temp,fuel and clock) with some LEDs the other day. they are apparently compatible with Defender...Checked each one as they went in to make sure right way round and lighting up. All was ok to begin with. So screwed dash back together again.
Drove to work this morning. New dash lights not illuminating. Bummer! Mind you, no chance of breaking speed limit so not a major worry.
On the drive home tonight, radio also now not working( no power).

Have checked fuses. Look ok. None blown as far as I can tell.
Any bright ideas?
I can handle not having dash lights for a while. But not having no sound...

Any suggestions gratefully received.

Thanks
Post #740410 13th Nov 2018 10:54pm
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jeffersj



Member Since: 23 Jan 2015
Location: Near Preston
Posts: 431

United Kingdom 1996 Defender 90 300 Tdi HT Bronze Green
Sounds like you may have disturbed an earth/ground connection when reassembling the binnacle, also have the multi connectors for the other wiring been pushed fully home? Jeff
Ex 1968 Series 2A
Ex 90 TD5
Ex D3
Ex D4
Post #740460 14th Nov 2018 10:40am
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mrd1990



Member Since: 16 Aug 2012
Location: Wales
Posts: 600

Wales 2000 Defender 110 Td5 CSW Epsom Green
From my limited knowledge in electrics of the 300tdi,

The Radio and interior lights share a fuse, but I'm not sure if this fuse is also shared with the dash lights.


Try removing the bulbs and placing the old ones back in, it could be a faulty LED causing a short.. Thumbs Up
Post #740466 14th Nov 2018 11:08am
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dorsetsmith



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


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Post #740467 14th Nov 2018 11:31am
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Merv Jones



Member Since: 13 Nov 2018
Location: Huntingdon,Cambs
Posts: 13

United Kingdom 1996 Defender 90 300 Tdi HT Arles Blue
Thanks both for the quick replies.

I've taken the new Leds out and put the old bulbs back instead. These work ok apart from the one for the clock. . But still no power to the radio.
Have checked that the wires into back of radio are seated correctly. Also checked the mini fuse at the back of the radio too. And have given all of the connections behind the pinnacle a push to make sure none are loose.
Have swapped fuse no7 too. It looked ok but put a new one in just in case.

Still no joy. Crying or Very sad

Any other suggestions gratefully received.
Post #740578 14th Nov 2018 10:20pm
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jst



Member Since: 14 Jan 2008
Location: Taunton
Posts: 7681

2011 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 USW Stornoway Grey
Run a direct feed to the radio see if that works to check radio function.

As above possibly an earth that's been disturbed, probably in one of those black multi plugs Cheers

James
110 XS Utility
130 Puma Station wagon/camper (in the making)
90 Puma Hardtop
Post #740586 14th Nov 2018 10:38pm
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Merv Jones



Member Since: 13 Nov 2018
Location: Huntingdon,Cambs
Posts: 13

United Kingdom 1996 Defender 90 300 Tdi HT Arles Blue
Will have another look tonight - thanks guys..

A quick question to JST re: suggestion of running a direct feed to the radio......

Previously, it only came on with the ignition. And I always thought it would be good to have the ability to listen to it without having the ignition on. (Accepting the fact that if I do this for too long I have a dead battery of course) So - here's my question.

I have a separate (permanent live) fuse box in the battery box connected directly to the battery.
Going with your suggestion of a direct feed to the radio, should I just run a new cable from this auxiliary fusebox to the radio? And if so - which of the wires that go to the back of radio should I tap into??

Is this the sort of thing you were suggesting - or have I missed the point?

Cheers,
Merv
Post #740625 15th Nov 2018 7:52am
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Merv Jones



Member Since: 13 Nov 2018
Location: Huntingdon,Cambs
Posts: 13

United Kingdom 1996 Defender 90 300 Tdi HT Arles Blue
Good news and bad news.....

Thanks all for your suggestions.

I traced the earth issue back to an upgraded headlight loom that was put in months ago. One of the earth cables on the loom was loose. Headlights were still working fine though. I’ll never understand this electrickery stuff!

Radio now works again too..

But the new LED bulbs in the dash don’t. The original bulbs do work though - so I’m assuming that the LEDs are Censored ( technical term) as a result of the earth issue? Is this possible?
Post #740709 15th Nov 2018 6:33pm
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mrd1990



Member Since: 16 Aug 2012
Location: Wales
Posts: 600

Wales 2000 Defender 110 Td5 CSW Epsom Green
Remember LEDs have a positive and a negative side, try installing one at a time both ways until it works Thumbs Up
Post #740738 15th Nov 2018 9:24pm
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