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ti-fat-man



Member Since: 08 Feb 2009
Location: Bedford
Posts: 517
United Kingdom 2011 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 USW Alpine White
High level brake light earthing question...
My rear door brake light isn't working and it was thought to a dead bulb. I've taken the cover off to expose the lamp holder and discovered that the bulb is ok. On checking the circuit I can confirm that I have a feed on the right hand side of the lamp-holder, and when I bridged the left side of the lamp-holder with a temp 'flying lead' to a bolt on the door hinge the lamp illuminated. How does the light normally take a ground/earthing route? It seems to be integral with the heated windscreen pattern. A replacement single part or a new rear window?

The dealer discovered it yesterday during a 24K service, truck going back on the 26/09 for new: 1. headlight bezels 2. mudflap brackets 3. bulkhead bolts 4. decesion (sp!) from LR about the rust inside the web on the front bumper. 5. sort rear door light.

(£522 + free Stratstone umbrella & two bottles of spring water, ford focus courtesy car)
Post #167785 12th Sep 2012 7:30am
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DAZ110



Member Since: 06 Dec 2007
Location: East Sussex
Posts: 2038
United Kingdom 2013 Defender 90 Puma 2.2 XS CSW Barolo Black
The brake light has probably rubbed through the glass element.

This seems quite common. Does your heated rear window still work?... as the top few elements on the glass also often get damaged as well. Rolling Eyes

I ran a wire up from the connector to the lamp holder and tucked the wire behind the rubber glass seal to hide it.

Get it sorted under warranty but it will probably do it again in time....you could cut the foam seal where it comes in contact with the glass so no rubbing takes place.
Post #167794 12th Sep 2012 8:05am
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AlpenAndes



Member Since: 20 May 2011
Location: Currently Chile
Posts: 128
Austria 2010 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 SW Belize Green
Hi,

in my case they first did not find the cause, after I took a few minutes to find it, they replaced the entire window in warranty. The cost for replacing the dark foil they did not take.

BR
Oskar
Post #167795 12th Sep 2012 8:09am
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ti-fat-man



Member Since: 08 Feb 2009
Location: Bedford
Posts: 517
United Kingdom 2011 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 USW Alpine White
^^^
cheers for the replies guys.

rear window element does look well rusty/tarnished for a 2 yrs old motor.

shonky LR design Whistle
Post #167804 12th Sep 2012 8:54am
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WelshGas



Member Since: 01 Oct 2010
Location: Vale of Glamorgan
Posts: 935
Wales 2010 Defender 90 Puma 2.4 XS CSW Santorini Black
The original Heated rear window has horizontal elements at the top that are covered by the high level brake light assembly. Vibration of this unit causes a break in the heating element. The NEW replacement heated screen has the top 3 elements running AROUND the High level brake light unit thus sorting the problem permanently . Whistle LANDYWATCH

Neighbourhood Watch for Land Rover Owners

http://www.landywatch.co.uk/smf2/index.php
Post #167811 12th Sep 2012 9:26am
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JWL



Member Since: 26 Oct 2011
Location: Hereford
Posts: 3443
England 2002 Defender 110 Td5 SW Coniston Green
When the brake light packed up on mine earlier this year it was because the spade connection close to the bottom of the window had been knocked off. This was the earth from the brake light, from the bulb carrier the earth went to one of the studs which passed through a printed strip on the glass which is independant of the heating element and is there to complete the circuit. All I did, as done above, was run a wire from the stud, conceal it behind the rubber window seal and earth it behind the door card.
All this has been tidied up due to some kids using the back window as target practice with a football so back to originality!
Post #167824 12th Sep 2012 10:18am
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K9F



Member Since: 12 Nov 2009
Location: Bournemouth
Posts: 9610
United Kingdom 2008 Defender 90 Puma 2.4 XS CSW Stornoway Grey
Is your right hand rear brake light working? The high stop tail light shares it's earth with the right hand lower. Could be where the two are spliced the splice has broken or the common earth is duff. Yes it does share the earth with the rear heated window 'C0557-1' on the diagrams.

Run in an alternative earth like the temporary one you tried, or buy a Granville Electrical Circuit Paint Repair Kit and get painting would be my advice. Save yourself a packet.

http://www.google.co.uk/products/catalog?h...CB4Q8wIwAA If you go through life with your head in the sand....all people will see is an ar5e!!

Treat every day as if it is your last....one day you will be right!!
Post #167833 12th Sep 2012 11:07am
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ti-fat-man



Member Since: 08 Feb 2009
Location: Bedford
Posts: 517
United Kingdom 2011 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 USW Alpine White
^^^
Welsh Gas Thumbs Up

just been to the dealer armed with 'knowledgable' details about new and older rear windows, and having looked at mine ('10) and a new truck in the showroom, he has ordered a new window Wink

cheers al
Post #167843 12th Sep 2012 12:39pm
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defender4



Member Since: 22 Jun 2011
Location: South East London
Posts: 411
United Kingdom 2007 Defender 90 Puma 2.4 XS CSW Java Black
Wow, that's handy stuff to know about, thanks. Bow down
Post #167844 12th Sep 2012 12:41pm
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WelshGas



Member Since: 01 Oct 2010
Location: Vale of Glamorgan
Posts: 935
Wales 2010 Defender 90 Puma 2.4 XS CSW Santorini Black
You're welcome. Glad to be able to help out. Thumbs Up LANDYWATCH

Neighbourhood Watch for Land Rover Owners

http://www.landywatch.co.uk/smf2/index.php
Post #167847 12th Sep 2012 1:13pm
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ti-fat-man



Member Since: 08 Feb 2009
Location: Bedford
Posts: 517
United Kingdom 2011 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 USW Alpine White
Cheers WelshGas,

On the above info passed, I ran this past the stealer and they have fitted a new version screen today.

I had to wait for a new bumper to arrive, as I mentioned the light corrosion inside the web. The dealer (not my purchase dealer) seemed not to put up a fight... Q: are they 'making' on this work as such, from LR.

Stratstone, Newport Pagnell...seem Thumbs Up
Post #185718 16th Nov 2012 9:06pm
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