Rear light cluster - rear brake, fog and side lights faults

Hi all

I recently had the problem others have seen where you receive warning beeps to say that certain rear lights aren't working.

I removed the rear cluster, couldnt see any electrical damage so changed the bulbs, sprayed the contacts with contact cleaner, and reassmbled. All good for a few months.

Today the warning beeps sounded again reporting rear brake, fog and side lights. I removed cluster again to check. This time the earth connector didnt look as 'clean' as the others and it looked like a minute piece of metal fell from the connector, but I couldnt find anything on the floor (too windy!). I cleaned as before, checked bulbs and reassembled.

This time, the whole cluster failed to work! I removed and reassembled and still no joy.

If I flick the indicator stork, the internal indicator blinks at twice the normal speed. I have only seen that before with a blown fuse.

So thinking that I might have blown the fuse I tried to look for it. But, my manual doesnt show an fuses listed for the rear lights (or any external lights for that matter).

I'm completely lost, and now its pitch black outside so I am unable to drive the car or do any further investigative work.

Grateful to anyone that can advise where I go from here.

Thanks.

Most times when the cabin flasher flashes at twice the normal rate, it means that one of the indicator bulbs has failed, not that its fuse has blown.
There's a very helpful thread on this forum about this whole issue of failed earth connectors on the rear cluster, and I will try to find it and post its location, if one of the regulars doesn't beat me to it!

Thanks for the quick reply DanniAgro. I have found this - multiple lamp fault fix

I was hoping it wouldnt be that as a fuse is easier to change! Strange that there is no fuse listed though? The indicator bulb is definitely ok, same as the others but none will light-up in the cluster.

So do you think it's definitely the earth?

MrX wrote:So do you think it's definitely the earth?

No, but its very common and you have tried the obvious already.

OK, will give it a go tomorrow. Will let you know how I get on.

Thanks for the replies.

Rather than check the earth connection by tracing the earth wire you could simply use another wire to make a temporary earth connection from the lamp cluster to an exposed metal point on the inside of the car.

If that cures your problem then you can investigate the earth wiring.

Sorted!

Connected a new earth as shown in the other posts and all lights are working with no warning beeps.

Thanks to all that replied, and previous contributors for sharing their experiences.