bulb failure charge problem

17th November 2006, 19:11

i seem to be getting very regular bulb failure warning and it comes from the drivers front indicator, tonight a warning flashed on the panel saying charge problem and the battery light came on for few seconds within a few operations of the indicator it rights itself? is this common problem?

lildevil · 17th November 2006, 19:20

Hi

I know that this is very helpful however I have exactly the same problem with my front driver's indicator. I have given up replacing bulbs. Replace them and they go again, I hope that somebody can help both of us.

Regards
Tom

Kandyman · 17th November 2006, 20:11

Don’t know if this is related but over the last week or so I have seen a few owners say here and on .org about part of the wiring loom getting chaffed on part of the front bumper on the inside of it on a welded seem on some thing.

Info below given by yp53

Check that the driver’s side headlight wiring loom is not chaffing against the longitudinal seam weld. It is worth putting a rubber strip on the seam (made from plastic tube with a slit in it) to prevent the wires being worn through. This happened to me and caused the sidelight and eventually level adjustment to fail on one side. I was pulling my hair out trying to understand what was happening, but all was revealed with the bumper off. When you reinstall the new headlight make sure the loom wiring isn't trapped underneath.

Let us know how you get on guys if you can see anything

Keith · 17th November 2006, 20:59

Re the charge light this could be a "time of year thing"
Cold engine lights on demister on HRW on if the alternator belt is not correctly adjusted it will slip for a few minutes

check the tension

yp53 · 18th November 2006, 07:34

"Info below given by yp53

Check that the driver’s side headlight wiring loom is not chaffing against the longitudinal seam weld. It is worth putting a rubber strip on the seam (made from plastic tube with a slit in it) to prevent the wires being worn through. This happened to me and caused the sidelight and eventually level adjustment to fail on one side. I was pulling my hair out trying to understand what was happening, but all was revealed with the bumper off. When you reinstall the new headlight make sure the loom wiring isn't trapped underneath."

This is a problem specifically with the headlight wiring looms (particularly it seems the drivers side) - one worth remembering all the same.

The indicators are fed off the same loom as fog lights (if fitted) and air temp sensor and runs up on the nearside bumper/wing to connect somewhere around the battery fusebox. It may be that a break in the wiring that is causing the problem, or the connector has corroded, although I wouldn't expect the charging light to come on, rather a bulb or fuse to blow!

GreyGhost · 18th November 2006, 11:17

Thanks for the very comprehensive post yp, It would appear that the if the loom is shorting to earth, it may cause a sharp discharge from the battery causing the battery light to come on for a few moments.
Possibly the bulb blowing is acting like a fuse in the circuit ? Electrical systems on modern cars tend to baffle me

pondweed · 20th November 2006, 19:17

I had the identical problem to yp53. Interesting that the longtitudinal seam on the other (passenger) side IS already covered with something rubbery.

This potential design/maintenance fault should be in the list of 75 foibles... I've corrected the fault but now have wires in the loom that are partially black from occasional shorting. not nice for the longer term.

mantianak · 28th November 2006, 18:09

I had the same problem on mine too. After changing the bulbs around in the car I discovered the drivers indicator bulb wasn't blown. Some of that electrical gunk (used to get it all the time on an old escort) had build up and simply bloking the connection. Took a stanley blade to scrape it all off and worked perfect.

On a slightly different note, my nearside dipped beam bulb has just blown... again!
The ceramic (or whatever they use these days) bulb holders seem to have an unhealthy bunt colour where as on the opposite side they do not. Last time it, a month or 2 ago, both side light and dipped both died.
They last about 2 months max. Wouldn't be so bad if they weren't so difficult to change.

They blow on the engine crank by the way.

17th November 2006, 19:11	#1
7t5 Guest Posts: n/a	bulb failure charge problem i seem to be getting very regular bulb failure warning and it comes from the drivers front indicator, tonight a warning flashed on the panel saying charge problem and the battery light came on for few seconds within a few operations of the indicator it rights itself? is this common problem?

28th November 2006, 18:09	#8
mantianak I really should get out more....... ZT 190+ Saloon Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Poole Posts: 2,413 Thanks: 6 Thanked 22 Times in 21 Posts	I had the same problem on mine too. After changing the bulbs around in the car I discovered the drivers indicator bulb wasn't blown. Some of that electrical gunk (used to get it all the time on an old escort) had build up and simply bloking the connection. Took a stanley blade to scrape it all off and worked perfect. On a slightly different note, my nearside dipped beam bulb has just blown... again! The ceramic (or whatever they use these days) bulb holders seem to have an unhealthy bunt colour where as on the opposite side they do not. Last time it, a month or 2 ago, both side light and dipped both died. They last about 2 months max. Wouldn't be so bad if they weren't so difficult to change. They blow on the engine crank by the way. __________________ http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d1..._signature.png Last edited by mantianak; 28th November 2006 at 18:22.. Reason: engine crank

17th November 2006, 19:20	#2
lildevil Avid contributor Lexus IS200 (Previously - Rover 75 Saloon) Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Maidstone Posts: 225 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Hi I know that this is very helpful however I have exactly the same problem with my front driver's indicator. I have given up replacing bulbs. Replace them and they go again, I hope that somebody can help both of us. Regards Tom

17th November 2006, 20:11	#3
Kandyman Banned ROVER 75 2.5 V6 Connoisseur SE Limousine 2004 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Welling Posts: 10,995 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Don’t know if this is related but over the last week or so I have seen a few owners say here and on .org about part of the wiring loom getting chaffed on part of the front bumper on the inside of it on a welded seem on some thing. Info below given by yp53 Check that the driver’s side headlight wiring loom is not chaffing against the longitudinal seam weld. It is worth putting a rubber strip on the seam (made from plastic tube with a slit in it) to prevent the wires being worn through. This happened to me and caused the sidelight and eventually level adjustment to fail on one side. I was pulling my hair out trying to understand what was happening, but all was revealed with the bumper off. When you reinstall the new headlight make sure the loom wiring isn't trapped underneath. Let us know how you get on guys if you can see anything

17th November 2006, 20:59	#4
Keith This is my second home ZT400 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Ellesmere Posts: 5,948 Thanks: 0 Thanked 43 Times in 29 Posts	Re the charge light this could be a "time of year thing" Cold engine lights on demister on HRW on if the alternator belt is not correctly adjusted it will slip for a few minutes check the tension

18th November 2006, 07:34	#5
yp53 Loves to post ex- Rover 75 CDTi Tourer Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Timsbury, nr Bath Posts: 328 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	"Info below given by yp53 Check that the driver’s side headlight wiring loom is not chaffing against the longitudinal seam weld. It is worth putting a rubber strip on the seam (made from plastic tube with a slit in it) to prevent the wires being worn through. This happened to me and caused the sidelight and eventually level adjustment to fail on one side. I was pulling my hair out trying to understand what was happening, but all was revealed with the bumper off. When you reinstall the new headlight make sure the loom wiring isn't trapped underneath." This is a problem specifically with the headlight wiring looms (particularly it seems the drivers side) - one worth remembering all the same. The indicators are fed off the same loom as fog lights (if fitted) and air temp sensor and runs up on the nearside bumper/wing to connect somewhere around the battery fusebox. It may be that a break in the wiring that is causing the problem, or the connector has corroded, although I wouldn't expect the charging light to come on, rather a bulb or fuse to blow!

18th November 2006, 11:17	#6
GreyGhost Banned 180+ Sport Auto Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Bedford Middle Level Posts: 17,787 Thanks: 0 Thanked 18 Times in 5 Posts	Thanks for the very comprehensive post yp, It would appear that the if the loom is shorting to earth, it may cause a sharp discharge from the battery causing the battery light to come on for a few moments. Possibly the bulb blowing is acting like a fuse in the circuit ? Electrical systems on modern cars tend to baffle me

20th November 2006, 19:17	#7
pondweed This is my second home Waiter, Waiter! I seem to have a Roomster in my drive... Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Sussex Posts: 3,268 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	I had the identical problem to yp53. Interesting that the longtitudinal seam on the other (passenger) side IS already covered with something rubbery. This potential design/maintenance fault should be in the list of 75 foibles... I've corrected the fault but now have wires in the loom that are partially black from occasional shorting. not nice for the longer term.