Right Number Plate Light Intermittently Not Working. Thoughts?

Barnsey · 5th April 2018, 01:10

Hi all,

Apologies in advance (I'm new to the forum and all!).

My Rover 75 right rear number plate light seems to spontaneously stop working from time to time (not often, but still)...And sometimes just a few hours/days later will decide to work again. It surely can't just be the bulb, right? The left one seems to be fine and hasn't stopped working, not even once.

Got a Warrant Of Fitness (MOT equivalent) coming up and want to make sure it doesn't fail on something so minor - as Murphy's law goes, I am sure it will decide not to work on the day of inspection.

Possibly worth noting is - One time when the light wasn't working, I decided to turn the hazards on too (and instantly, the right number plate light started working again?).

Anyway, would be interesting to hear what everyone thinks and any thoughts/advice is much appreciated.

Thanks,
Barney

Simondi · 5th April 2018, 04:57

I've deleted the duplicate thead
This does seem to be a design feature of our cars lol.

May just be the connectors/ bulb holder need a clean or it could be the PCB.

Have a wee look

here.

Also worth a look through the how to section. I'm sure there is a simple remedy there

daveconnolly · 5th April 2018, 06:52

My 75 has also been doing the same thing since I got the car 8 months ago. Took it for test last month and decided to to go off at test station. So failed on this plus 2 broken springs. Passed next day but not sure what mechanic did to get it working

suzublu · 5th April 2018, 10:44

A bang on the boot lid usually fixes them, or https://the75andztclub.co.uk/forum/s...d.php?t=159120

Barnsey · 6th April 2018, 01:47

Thanks everyone for your suggestions!

Good point Simondi, when I get the chance I'll check the bulb holder and connectors. Since it only happens every so often, I might sideline pulling apart the plinth and PCB until required to do so (I'm also not the best at DIY stuff lol).

Also, thanks for the link Suzublu, I'll try giving the boot a smack first though haha.

Eitherway, might just be worth thinking of it as adding to the character of the car (what is a British car without a few little electrical "features").

Quote:

Originally Posted by daveconnolly

My 75 has also been doing the same thing since I got the car 8 months ago. Took it for test last month and decided to to go off at test station. So failed on this plus 2 broken springs. Passed next day but not sure what mechanic did to get it working

Quote:

Originally Posted by suzublu

A bang on the boot lid usually fixes them, or https://the75andztclub.co.uk/forum/s...d.php?t=159120

Quote:

Originally Posted by Simondi

I've deleted the duplicate thead
This does seem to be a design feature of our cars lol.

May just be the connectors/ bulb holder need a clean or it could be the PCB.

Have a wee look

here.

Also worth a look through the how to section. I'm sure there is a simple remedy there

Neil1 · 6th April 2018, 15:21

What can also happen is that the metal connections where the bulb ends touch can have white/grey corrosion on.
Can be cleaned off with fine wet & dry paper.
I blow out the dust, use these from Amazon.
It's a bit fiddly to do.

Comfortably Numb · 6th April 2018, 21:08

As stated above - first, clean the bulb contacts with fine wet &dry. If it is still dodgy, you may have to disassemble and check if any of the PCB tracks are broken. Not wishing to worry you, but a couple of weeks after I bought mine, I was removing stuff from the boot one night, when I smelt burning. Looking up, I saw smoke rising from the chrome handle/light, so i quickly turned the lights off. On removal, it became apparent that a track had shorted through the chrome and bodywork, aided by wet weather, as the thin covering had worn away. I have now replaced all the tracks with wires, carefully cutting/scraping away the tracks connecting to the spade terminals ( the fire had virtually burned the pcb in half). I may eventually buy a new one, but with other expenses on the car, it has had to be a make-do-and-mend ( it may well last longer than the car!)

Barnsey · 7th April 2018, 13:44

Good to know about your experience with the rear plate lights, Comfortably Numb. Currently away but best I put it on the priority list to sort out then.

Still got one of Jules's cooling fans to order (already in-touch) and install. The only other minor issue to sort is the intermittent double flash of my right indicator once in a while (will post a separate question on that to keep things tidy).

I'd be intrigued to know what a Rover 75 that hasn't had £12,000+ pounds

previously spent on it is like (got a very comprehensive service history from previous owner). Then again, I guess 'dedicated' previous owners is a good thing.

gazcaz · 8th April 2018, 11:49

Brought new board of Matt solved all issues nice bright LEDS.

https://www.dmgrs.co.uk/products/r75...y-xfc000220mmm

5th April 2018, 01:10	#1
Barnsey Newbie Rover 75 Join Date: Mar 2018 Location: Paradise Posts: 5 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 1 Post	Right Number Plate Light Intermittently Not Working. Thoughts? Hi all, Apologies in advance (I'm new to the forum and all!). My Rover 75 right rear number plate light seems to spontaneously stop working from time to time (not often, but still)...And sometimes just a few hours/days later will decide to work again. It surely can't just be the bulb, right? The left one seems to be fine and hasn't stopped working, not even once. Got a Warrant Of Fitness (MOT equivalent) coming up and want to make sure it doesn't fail on something so minor - as Murphy's law goes, I am sure it will decide not to work on the day of inspection. Possibly worth noting is - One time when the light wasn't working, I decided to turn the hazards on too (and instantly, the right number plate light started working again?). Anyway, would be interesting to hear what everyone thinks and any thoughts/advice is much appreciated. Thanks, Barney

5th April 2018, 04:57	#2
Simondi Regional Secretary MGTF, MG ZS EV Exclusive Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Kilwinning Posts: 14,053 Thanks: 1,460 Thanked 3,563 Times in 1,857 Posts	I've deleted the duplicate thead This does seem to be a design feature of our cars lol. May just be the connectors/ bulb holder need a clean or it could be the PCB. Have a wee look here. Also worth a look through the how to section. I'm sure there is a simple remedy there __________________ Simondi FAQ How do you do that? Club Flyers Looking for a car seen in a film or on TV? Fancy a change in colour or wheels - paint configurator OBD - Trip Meter Ultimate Buyers Guide Post YouTube videos

6th April 2018, 15:21	#6
Neil1 I really should get out more....... MG ZT-T CDTI Auto Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Newton Abbot Posts: 2,624 Thanks: 1,342 Thanked 518 Times in 425 Posts	What can also happen is that the metal connections where the bulb ends touch can have white/grey corrosion on. Can be cleaned off with fine wet & dry paper. I blow out the dust, use these from Amazon. It's a bit fiddly to do. __________________ Rover 75 and MG ZT: The Complete Story

7th April 2018, 13:44	#8
Barnsey Newbie Rover 75 Join Date: Mar 2018 Location: Paradise Posts: 5 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 1 Post	Good to know about your experience with the rear plate lights, Comfortably Numb. Currently away but best I put it on the priority list to sort out then. Still got one of Jules's cooling fans to order (already in-touch) and install. The only other minor issue to sort is the intermittent double flash of my right indicator once in a while (will post a separate question on that to keep things tidy). I'd be intrigued to know what a Rover 75 that hasn't had £12,000+ pounds previously spent on it is like (got a very comprehensive service history from previous owner). Then again, I guess 'dedicated' previous owners is a good thing. Last edited by Barnsey; 7th April 2018 at 13:48..

8th April 2018, 11:49	#9
gazcaz I really should get out more....... MG ZT Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Worthing Posts: 2,744 Thanks: 3,944 Thanked 576 Times in 471 Posts	Brought new board of Matt solved all issues nice bright LEDS. https://www.dmgrs.co.uk/products/r75...y-xfc000220mmm __________________ [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC] MG ZT 2.5 V6 234th of 2,834 Trophy Blue ZT 190 + Saloons Produced 14th of 27 MG ZTs Produced on 27-09-2001

5th April 2018, 06:52	#3
daveconnolly Avid contributor Rover 75 saloon Join Date: Nov 2016 Location: Darlington Posts: 125 Thanks: 135 Thanked 58 Times in 31 Posts	My 75 has also been doing the same thing since I got the car 8 months ago. Took it for test last month and decided to to go off at test station. So failed on this plus 2 broken springs. Passed next day but not sure what mechanic did to get it working

5th April 2018, 10:44	#4
suzublu This is my second home rover 75 1.8 vvc club se wedgwood blue Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Seaton Carew Posts: 26,983 Thanks: 65 Thanked 7,142 Times in 4,642 Posts	A bang on the boot lid usually fixes them, or https://the75andztclub.co.uk/forum/s...d.php?t=159120

6th April 2018, 21:08	#7
Comfortably Numb Posted a thing or two Rover 75 Saloon Join Date: Dec 2017 Location: Penrith Posts: 1,336 Thanks: 165 Thanked 303 Times in 241 Posts	As stated above - first, clean the bulb contacts with fine wet &dry. If it is still dodgy, you may have to disassemble and check if any of the PCB tracks are broken. Not wishing to worry you, but a couple of weeks after I bought mine, I was removing stuff from the boot one night, when I smelt burning. Looking up, I saw smoke rising from the chrome handle/light, so i quickly turned the lights off. On removal, it became apparent that a track had shorted through the chrome and bodywork, aided by wet weather, as the thin covering had worn away. I have now replaced all the tracks with wires, carefully cutting/scraping away the tracks connecting to the spade terminals ( the fire had virtually burned the pcb in half). I may eventually buy a new one, but with other expenses on the car, it has had to be a make-do-and-mend ( it may well last longer than the car!)