Old Leafsprung Land Rovers

To maintain general sanity it is worth checking all of the earths are in good condition. I always run two from the battery rather than the factory's one, the additional I connect to one of the distributor retaining bolts. I've found more often than not this cures a lazy starter motor, as the starter motor has an earth to the chassis the extra one no doubt helps with other things too. I would suggest for testing purposes you run an earth wire direct from the battery to the light unit that's playing up. If that cures things it would be well worth adding a more permanent solution such as an additional earth from the tub to the chassis. This wouldn't have to be very heavy gauge wire. I tend to re-wire with trailer cable and earth the lights from somewhere up front as well as it all helps.

After much dicking about resting mirrors up aganst the lawnmower and angling it so that I can see it in the wing mirror while I operate the brake etc, I can confirm that neither of the brake lights now work    I've tried all manner of things to ensure that there is a good earth, but I'm afraid this has got me beat. It's probably something simple, but at this point I'm prepared to accede that I'm an idiot who shouldn't be left to do anything more complicated than change the batteries in a torch 

My forlorn hope to get the MOT pass tomorrow morning now lies in tatters. If anyone can offer me some hope that I can resolve this problem I will recommend you as a volunteer for the Samaritans.

Yours suicidally
Trev

Fen, you are indeed a God amongst men...thank you for saving my sanity 

Here's hoping I can get it in tomorrow to get it checked off 

Many thanks to everyone who responded to my plea.

Trev

Trev

Sorry just seen your post take it your all sorted im in Skegby just up the road and a spark know that does not help you

Out in the morning if you still have problems in latter

Simon

PS if not working again

   Doh ! sorry fen put your name in there instead of trev . Its friday and all that. normal service will resume at playtime tomorrow

 

Nice to see you today Trev and to final sort it out for you 6 joints in one wire in six inches did not help

who ever invented scotch locks whats  they cause more trouble

See you soon

Simon 

Glad you got it sorted! Sorry I've been offline or I'd've tried to help!

Wiring on old vehicles is fairly easy - and easier with a good wiring diagram & multimeter, don't let it get to you!

One thing I've learnt is to NEVER rely on the bodywork being a good earth as corrosion (accelerated due to a voltage difference across often damp dissimilar metals!) causes one of the most common faults on lighting with older vehicles (even when they were younger than they are now they had issues, my dad's austin A40 is fondly remembered in this regard!) - always run a separate earth if you get the chance!