Caravan parker lights - not working - shorting out?
Submitted: Thursday, Oct 27, 2011 at 21:54
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blueteddy
Hi all,
Recently the parker/number plate lights stopped working on the van. The parkers still work on the towing vehicle.
A multimeter shows 12v coming out of the empty vehicle plug when the parkers are on, but as soon as the van is connected to the vehicle plug the multimeter reports nothing - so I'm assuming that means there is a short somewhere in the van. The parkers on the car still work when the plug is connected. All the fuses are fine.
I've removed all the bulbs from the van (that was a mission!) and checked for any obvious loose wires.
After all the bulbs are removed the multimeter is still reporting a connection between the parker light pin and ground on the plug. Does this mean there is still a short somewhere in the system?
Any hints on how to locate it so we can get our lights working again? I've been at it for hours today.
Cheers heaps!
Dave
Reply By: blueteddy - Thursday, Oct 27, 2011 at 21:56
Thursday, Oct 27, 2011 at 21:56
edit: correct image:
AnswerID:
468681
Follow Up By: Villatranquilla - Thursday, Oct 27, 2011 at 23:01
Thursday, Oct 27, 2011 at 23:01
we had a similar problem with our regent - found it was a dud fuse in fuse box in the back of the cupboard beside the bed
FollowupID:
743006
Follow Up By: blueteddy - Thursday, Oct 27, 2011 at 23:34
Thursday, Oct 27, 2011 at 23:34
* gasp * there's a fuse box in the van somewhere!? the coromal fella said no fuse box in ours. will go hunting in the morning.
FollowupID:
743010
Follow Up By: Villatranquilla - Friday, Oct 28, 2011 at 19:44
Friday, Oct 28, 2011 at 19:44
we didn't know about the fuse box and after the auto elec could not find the fault he jury rigged the lights by running a temporary line from the plug, under the van and up to the rear lights on the outside of the cladding - just so we could continue our holiday with the intention of getting it fixed when we got home. Imagine my surprise when I found a fuse box when looking for a shoe at the bottom of the cupboard and yes it had a blown fuse - may not be the issue with your Coromal though worth a good hunt around
FollowupID:
743071
Reply By: Fishing Barb - Thursday, Oct 27, 2011 at 22:27
Thursday, Oct 27, 2011 at 22:27
more than likely to be a bad earth conection on the light itself
darwin dave
AnswerID:
468686
Reply By: Member - Toyocrusa (NSW) - Friday, Oct 28, 2011 at 06:24
Friday, Oct 28, 2011 at 06:24
Dave. I dont think it would be a short as I am pretty sure if there was a short in the van it would blow the fuse in the car. You should have 12v at the van plug when connected to the car (you say you have nothing?) For tail/clearance lights the wire should be brown. Is it the same wire for car and van. If so check wire/connectors. If they are OK check the earths are the same wires and that they have connection/continuity. If all that is OK you will have to follow the wireing harness in the van. Cheers,Bob
AnswerID:
468702
Reply By: Member - Jim - Sunday, Oct 30, 2011 at 08:36
Sunday, Oct 30, 2011 at 08:36
Blueteddy,
Generally if you start from where the cable comes out of the drawbar under the van there will be a mass of wires heading in different directions and normally connected using scotch clips along with maybe some electrical tape with the whole lot pulled together with some cable ties and stuffed back into the drawbar.
Keep in mind the bloke who did the job at the factory was not an auto electrician, the only criteria being to do it fast and use as little consumables as possible.
I have fixed a
well known and expensive van where all the wires to various tail, stop, blinkers etc were only twitched together and bound with about two inches of electrical tape.
Start at the front and work towards the rear.
Cheers
Jim
AnswerID:
468851