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Failed MoT on rear light issue - where's the earth point?

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Old Aug 6th, 2021, 13:35   #11
Laird Scooby
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Thanks folks for all replies so far -

Replaced both with two good bulbs I managed to get, and we are back to the right hand brake light not working when tail lights are on. 3rd level 'middle' brake light works fine.
I'll check re fuses to see if this is the case, I lightly cleaned bulb holders but to no avail yet.
The right hand brake light filament is earthing through the tail-light filament which is why the tail light and brake light don't work with the lights on. You'll also find the brake lights are dimmer on the right than the left with the lights off.

It's a common fuse for the brake lights (or should be), the fault has got to lie in the right hand cluster or connectors. If you can identify the earth connection on the cluster you could run a temporary extra earth to the corresponding earth connector on the left cluster which would prove the earth point for the right cluster is not the fault if there's no change. My guess is either the bulbholder itself or the connector plug as previously described.
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Old Aug 6th, 2021, 15:14   #12
Joseph Martin
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Excellent folks, thank you. I'll see what I can do when the rain stops.
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Old Aug 6th, 2021, 15:36   #13
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My 1988 360 GLE failed its first MoT in two years - two very minor issues.

With the headlights on, pressing the brake turns off the bulb completely on the right hand side. I'm thinking this is down to a bad earth. Where are the rear lights unearthed to, or am I looking in the wrong place?

Any advice appreciated.
On the back of the plastic housing where the bulb holders are is a thin metal bar which runs long and presses on each bulbs case , the bar has a earth wire on it , as you only get a problem with one bulb I would take the bulb out and clean its casing and look carefully at the strip which it presses up against.. sometimes the plastic support holding the strip can break .. can be fixed with a strong epoxy glue to strengthen the strips support..

Or it may just be a dirty bulb and case contact .
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Old Aug 6th, 2021, 18:50   #14
Joseph Martin
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FIXED!

As per Clan's suggestion, the bulb wasn't properly engaging with this metal bar, and I've now confirmed this and it works.

Will be going for retest on Monday. And with these faults sorted it'll then have a totally clean bill of health.

Not bad for a 33 year old Volvo 300 series!

Thanks again for all your advice!!
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Old Aug 19th, 2021, 14:21   #15
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Years ago I had similar problems, soldered separate earth wires to each bulb holder, no further trouble.
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Old Aug 19th, 2021, 17:17   #16
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I just empty a couple of sacks of fertile loam in the boot. Ensures good earthing all round.
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