Tail lights not working

[gemr]

Problem with both tail lights on our 2007 stx d40. We had a steel tray installed last year and have had to replace the rear lights due to water getting in( supposedly waterproof seals!)
Also dash lights haven't worked for ages, not sure if this is related or not.

 

[DaveHAT]

Try fuses first. They're located in the engine bay near the firewsll on the passenger side.

Click on the link below ... It should take you to a short video demonstrating where the fuses are.

http://s925.photobucket.com/user/DaveHAT/media/20130721_152617_zps8d983609.mp4.html

 

[bods]

Dash lights are definitely connected as are parkers, all on the same circuit. As above, check fuses first

 

[Old.Tony]

The other thing to check - if the fuses are all intact AND CLEAN (remove and reinsert a couple of times to make sure) is the instrument cluster earth point. It shares this with the stereo and sometimes lets go. It's quite safe to add a second earth point to the chassis of the stereo which will also provide an earth to the instrument panel.

As for the tail lights, if it's NOT the fuse, I would suspect the earth first. They may all share an earth point and there may be some corrosion or debris in the connection.

 

[flashum1]

Under bonnet, left side, in front of passenger side windscreen area is a black box roughly 5 inches square. It's a prick to unclip. The lid section is an ecm, under that is a series of fuses. One of those is tail lights. Same fuse does trailer tail lights and dash /radio illumination. Front parkers are seperate. They are mini wedge or blade fuses. The ecm is also quite difficult to plug back in. If memory serves me correctly there is a fuse list on underside of ecm. Mine blew after borrowing mates dodgey trailer.

 

[gemr]

That's everyone
The fuse was gone, there seems to be no problem with the earth bit we still haven't got the tail lights working???

 

[flashum1]

If the lights have been getting water in them the bulb contacts will also be rusted. Moisture would have shorted circuit, prolonged exposure will have caused rust. Make sure lights are off, remove bulbs and clean rust from positive contacts and earth rim around outside. Check for power inside bulb holder with test light, rust and corrosion may have broken wire out of bulb holder.
Depending on budget, replace with leds, only if you get power and earth in tail light loom. you will need load capacitors for indicators though.
Check trailer plug for rust and broken wires too, it may have blown fuse again if you cannot fault lights.

 

[Old.Tony]

I had a tail light cluster let go because of a corroded socket in the left hand brake light. Good idea to check for corrosion.