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gilly1969



Member Since: 16 Mar 2016
Location: Godstone
Posts: 48

United Kingdom 
LED indicators and brake lights
Sorry if this seems like a common thread! I've installed Wipac LED's throughout my 1987 Defender 90. All working well until the 1st, then yesterday the 2nd Wipac indicator relay switch stopped working - no indicators or hazards on both occasions. I'm replacing the Wipac relay switch with an RDX version which I've read can fix the problem. In addition brake lights work intermittently and green towing light on dash warning panel is permanently lit. Are the problems I've got linked in any way? Fuses are intact although I'm not able to identify which is the correct fuse for the indicators nor the fuse size. Help!
Post #590069 4th Jan 2017 1:48pm
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custom90



Member Since: 21 Jan 2010
Location: South West, England.
Posts: 20294

United Kingdom 
LED's are much more sensitive to voltage spikes, fluctuation in voltage and earthing.

I'd say the later may well be a cause, try adding a temp earth and see how things work out.
Whilst at it do some continuity testing.
If all checks out and no effects from doing so it's power feeds that'll be the issue.
Are all connectors in good condition?
Earth straps clean, tight and with low resistance? ⭐️⭐️God Bless the USA 🇬🇧🇺🇸 ⭐️⭐️
Post #590073 4th Jan 2017 2:08pm
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mk1collector



Member Since: 17 Sep 2009
Location: West Yorkshire
Posts: 6769

England 2004 Defender 110 Td5 CSW Bonatti Grey
Try disconnecting the towing socket, if you have one the plug is under the drivers side rear wheel arch at the back, these can corrode inside and cause all sorts of electrical gremlins. Ray
My build thread
http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic17615.html
Post #590105 4th Jan 2017 4:02pm
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Martin
Site Admin


Member Since: 02 Apr 2007
Location: Hook Norton
Posts: 6604

United Kingdom 2015 Defender 90 Puma 2.2 XS CSW Montalcino Red
No tow socket plug on an 1987 vehicle..  1988 90 Td5 NAS soft top
2015 D90 XS SW
Post #590108 4th Jan 2017 4:05pm
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mk1collector



Member Since: 17 Sep 2009
Location: West Yorkshire
Posts: 6769

England 2004 Defender 110 Td5 CSW Bonatti Grey
Didn't know that Thumbs Up Ray
My build thread
http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic17615.html
Post #590117 4th Jan 2017 4:26pm
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Mo Murphy



Member Since: 01 Jun 2008
Location: Letchworth Garden City, Herts
Posts: 2217

United Kingdom 1984 Defender 90 BMW M57 3.0 Diesel HT Auto Pennine Grey
But there my be a birds nest of rotten wiring and corroded bullet connectors from an old socket.
Mo The Land Rover 90 - Many are called, few are chosen.

50 Shades of Pennine Grey
Post #590124 4th Jan 2017 4:53pm
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Martin
Site Admin


Member Since: 02 Apr 2007
Location: Hook Norton
Posts: 6604

United Kingdom 2015 Defender 90 Puma 2.2 XS CSW Montalcino Red
Towing connections on a LR of that age are made behind the upper lamp covers, so better protected from mud/water.  1988 90 Td5 NAS soft top
2015 D90 XS SW
Post #590125 4th Jan 2017 4:54pm
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custom90



Member Since: 21 Jan 2010
Location: South West, England.
Posts: 20294

United Kingdom 
It may have a hard wired tow socket fitted if any, it could be taps into the light feeds or the two socket.

That's of course if there is one present. ⭐️⭐️God Bless the USA 🇬🇧🇺🇸 ⭐️⭐️
Post #590126 4th Jan 2017 4:55pm
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gilarion



Member Since: 05 Dec 2013
Location: Wales
Posts: 5109

Wales 2007 Defender 90 Other CSW Trident Green
I hope this helps.

I changed all my exterior lights on my Defenders to led both TDi and TDCi.
On the TDi both 200 and 300 engine types I found that the lights did not work properly with the relay supplied by WIPAC or the RDX relay (a known problem).

On the TDi I had to obtain a special trailer earth warning light supplied by Bolt on Bits, you have to phone Bolt on Bits and ask for it to be sent to you as it not listed on their eBay store. Then you take out the original trailer warning light and install the RDX Bolt on Bits new trailer light bulb and attach the earth wire attached with the new trailer warning light bulb to a good earth and all will be fine. On TDi 200 and 300 variants the indicator lighting circuits earths through the warning light bulb and causes all sorts of problems the Bolt on Bits fix does away with any problems you have.

Bolt on Bits phone number 01274 688388 For those who like Welsh Mountains and narrow boats have a look at my videos and photos at..

http://www.youtube.com/user/conwy1
Post #590128 4th Jan 2017 5:00pm
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gilly1969



Member Since: 16 Mar 2016
Location: Godstone
Posts: 48

United Kingdom 
Hi everyone. Thanks for the amazing feedback. RDX relay switch arrives tomorrow and I've already got an appointment with the garage to get the brake lights looked at. I'll mention everything you've suggested and post back to let you know how I get on and as to which approach worked. It's been doing my head in! Thanks again.
Post #590148 4th Jan 2017 6:01pm
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VeeTee



Member Since: 06 Mar 2011
Location: Somewhere
Posts: 1512

Netherlands 
gilarion wrote:
I hope this helps.

I changed all my exterior lights on my Defenders to led both TDi and TDCi.
On the TDi both 200 and 300 engine types I found that the lights did not work properly with the relay supplied by WIPAC or the RDX relay (a known problem).

On the TDi I had to obtain a special trailer earth warning light supplied by Bolt on Bits, you have to phone Bolt on Bits and ask for it to be sent to you as it not listed on their eBay store. Then you take out the original trailer warning light and install the RDX Bolt on Bits new trailer light bulb and attach the earth wire attached with the new trailer warning light bulb to a good earth and all will be fine. On TDi 200 and 300 variants the indicator lighting circuits earths through the warning light bulb and causes all sorts of problems the Bolt on Bits fix does away with any problems you have.

Bolt on Bits phone number 01274 688388


Weird. I changed to all RDX indicator with RDX Relay on my 300Tdi. Never had any issues, and did not have to use special warning light (did not even know about that)... Indicators work fine just tune the knob on the relay so the warning light only lights up once when not towing. Cheers, Vincent
1959 Polynorm 1/4 Ton Trailer, Olive Drab Green (sold)
1970 M416 Military Trailer (Camping Trailer Conversion), Epsom Green (sold)
1975 Series III 88 V6, Light Green (sadly sold)
1996 Defender 110 CSW 300 Tdi, Epsom Green (sold)
2000 Freelander 1 TD4 3-drs, Silver (sold)
2006 Freelander 1 TD4 5-drs Facelift Automatic, Tonga Green (sold)

MySite
Post #590163 4th Jan 2017 6:46pm
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Chris90V8



Member Since: 02 Oct 2016
Location: Suffolk
Posts: 714

England 1987 Defender 90 2.5 TD XS CSW Portofino Red
...feeling your pain

Type in the search bar for " Indicator fault "

Just went thru all that indicator gremlins
Will help Thumbs Up
Post #590323 5th Jan 2017 8:33am
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gilly1969



Member Since: 16 Mar 2016
Location: Godstone
Posts: 48

United Kingdom 
Here's an update. Garage fixed brake issue. Turned out to be a faulty switch somewhere. RDX indicator relay switch with regulator turned down until trailer warning light goes out seems to have fixed the indicator problem. Relay switch was adjusted with engine running. I'd read somewhere that running at full power is more accurate when adjusting. Thanks for all the feedback. It was really helpful. On to the next problem!
Post #591201 8th Jan 2017 9:20am
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VeeTee



Member Since: 06 Mar 2011
Location: Somewhere
Posts: 1512

Netherlands 
Good it's sorted!

Cheers Thumbs Up Cheers, Vincent
1959 Polynorm 1/4 Ton Trailer, Olive Drab Green (sold)
1970 M416 Military Trailer (Camping Trailer Conversion), Epsom Green (sold)
1975 Series III 88 V6, Light Green (sadly sold)
1996 Defender 110 CSW 300 Tdi, Epsom Green (sold)
2000 Freelander 1 TD4 3-drs, Silver (sold)
2006 Freelander 1 TD4 5-drs Facelift Automatic, Tonga Green (sold)

MySite
Post #591203 8th Jan 2017 9:32am
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mk1collector



Member Since: 17 Sep 2009
Location: West Yorkshire
Posts: 6769

England 2004 Defender 110 Td5 CSW Bonatti Grey
Thanks for the update Thumbs Up could help someone in the future Ray
My build thread
http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic17615.html
Post #591317 8th Jan 2017 4:54pm
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