Rear number plates lights

[flyingtech55]

Can anyone tell which fuse provides the supply to the rear number plate lights and where it is. Both the rear number plate lights are out and the bulbs are OK. It's either a supply missing or a broken wiring harness in the tailgate. I want to meter it out 'cause it won't pass its MOT with those lights out.

The car is a 2003 Phase 2 Volvo V40.

Thanks in advance.

TimR

[ITSv40]

Fuse 23 and/or 24 in the engine bay fuse box.

[flyingtech55]

Thank you very much for this....it was fuse No. 24; a 10A 'red' fuse. Don't currently (pun intended) know why it blew but it seems to be a fairly 'soft' blow. Could just be tired! If it blows again I'll switch off the DRLs and renew the two red lights mounted in the tailgate as well as the number plate lamps. In the past I've had these types of random fuse blowing caused by intermittently internally shorting bulbs. Bulbs fitted to tailgates are prime suspects due to the frequent mechanical shocks they receive due to the closing of the tailgate.

Thanks again

TimR

[ITSv40]

Originally Posted by flyingtech55

Thank you very much for this....it was fuse No. 24; a 10A 'red' fuse. Don't currently (pun intended) know why it blew but it seems to be a fairly 'soft' blow. Could just be tired! If it blows again I'll switch off the DRLs and renew the two red lights mounted in the tailgate as well as the number plate lamps. In the past I've had these types of random fuse blowing caused by intermittently internally shorting bulbs. Bulbs fitted to tailgates are prime suspects due to the frequent mechanical shocks they receive due to the closing of the tailgate.

Thanks again

TimR

Interesting regarding the tailgate bulbs. In my previous V40 I bought bulbs from Halfords and was always replacing them particularly in the tailgate. When I bought the current one, I replaced all bulbs with Osram - original suppliers to Volvo - and 70,000mls later still all good in the tailgate.

[flyingtech55]

I really based my comment on previous experience of cars in general; not Volvo. This is my first Volvo. I've always owned either estates or hatchbacks except for a flirtation with a Mercedes 190E which I loved but was a saloon. It was only then that I realised just how much I missed the versatility of a hatchback or estate car.

Interesting about Osram v Halfords. Osram are an old and respected purveyor of incandescent lamps. Halfords always used to source their lamps from Ring where I think price drives quality.

Incidentally, I have the Haynes manual for the V40 but it's really based on the Phase 1 and the wiring seems to be completely different to the Phase 2. Certainly the fuse boxes are very different.

TimR