Another problem with Ford KA:(

GwylimT

Okay, so your other thread says your KA is a 2004 model, assuming its a hatchback you need any of the bulbs in the link below. If you use that website by entering your cars number plate it will be able to tell you the bulb you need for each light on your vehicle.

http://www.autobulbsdirect.co.uk/382-P21W-tail-bulbs/?bulb_search=&end=front

atrixblue.-MFR-.

If memory serves this a double filament bulb. if a single filament is fitted the bulb will remain illuminated and when the indicators or reverse lamp is activated it plays havoc with the light cluster making all the rear lights dance.


make sure the bulb holder is free of corrosion, that the contacts are making a good contact with the bulb.


if all is well there, then try looking for the earth wire, it too maybe heavily corroded and is no longer effective some sand paper on the panel and the connector and screw back down.


if that still don't cure it, then trace the wires from the back bulb plate and follow them until you see a break, melt etc, if you see a break or melt, then chop the break or melt out and use a crimp sleeve and crimp tool and reconnect the ends back together.

Strider590

My GF has a KA, it's a bleedin nightmare for those tail lights, i've replaced them no less than 3 times since this time last year and they also do this intermittent thing, whereby somebody points out they're not working, GF tells me, but when I get around to checking them, I find they're all ok and I can't replicate the fault.......

The latest lovely fault was the sidelight bulb "falling out of" the headlamp unit, found it just hanging there behind the headlamp. Couldn't get my hand in there to put it back, had to jack the car, remove the wheel and remove the wheel arch liner just to put it back before it's MOT.

Richard53

BeenThroughItAll wrote: »

No, I don't think there was any drama in my statement. I said I found the lack of care shocking, which I do.

To me, it came over as a little harsh, although I agree with what you say.


My pet peeve is the number of cars with headlights out. I mentioned this to a girl I work with, as I had seen her parking at work with only one headlight working. "No problem, it's getting serviced in March, I'll get them to look at it then." This was in November.

Strider590

Richard53 wrote: »

My pet peeve is the number of cars with headlights out. I mentioned this to a girl I work with, as I had seen her parking at work with only one headlight working. "No problem, it's getting serviced in March, I'll get them to look at it then." This was in November.

I had the same thing, pointed out to a young lady at the supermarket, that two of her brake lights didn't work (LH side and high level), her response was basically "oh, I know, it's ok it's not due for it's MOT until May", this was in December.......

colino

OP, please find a decent, recommended, local garage to look after your car. From your postings you really need friendly, professional help.

TrickyWicky

Yup we had this very same fault with our KA... As another poster has said.. indicators would make the entire light cluster start dancing like a set of disco lights.

Cure was incredibly simple (and frankly one that everyone appears to have forgotten these days): Silver foil.

What was wrong? - The connecter that plugs into / onto the light cluster. One little metal clip inside the plug was a bit knackered. Stuffed it full of silver foil and never had any more hassle from it.

It never ceases to amaze me how many people will start suggesting ripping out wiring looms to check them , bad earth connections and all sorts of other odd things. Can I just say that bad earth usually ends up meaning a dodgy connection. There is no need to describe this as a 'bad earth' as it's a load of rubbish dressed up to sound complicated and scary.

Richard53

TrickyWicky wrote: »

It never ceases to amaze me how many people will start suggesting ripping out wiring looms to check them , bad earth connections and all sorts of other odd things. Can I just say that bad earth usually ends up meaning a dodgy connection. There is no need to describe this as a 'bad earth' as it's a load of rubbish dressed up to sound complicated and scary.

Dodgy connection = bad connection.
On the earth side of the component = bad earth connection.


Nothing scary or complicated about that, is there?


Also, to identify that you needed to stuff the connector with silver foil, you presumably had to do a certain amount of investigation. Not quite 'ripping out wiring looms', but a similar process. I can't see what your objection is.

Strider590

TrickyWicky wrote: »

There is no need to describe this as a 'bad earth' as it's a load of rubbish dressed up to sound complicated and scary.

I blame climate change

melbury

atrixblue.-MFR-. wrote: »

If memory serves this a double filament bulb. if a single filament is fitted the bulb will remain illuminated and when the indicators or reverse lamp is activated it plays havoc with the light cluster making all the rear lights dance.


make sure the bulb holder is free of corrosion, that the contacts are making a good contact with the bulb.


if all is well there, then try looking for the earth wire, it too maybe heavily corroded and is no longer effective some sand paper on the panel and the connector and screw back down.


if that still don't cure it, then trace the wires from the back bulb plate and follow them until you see a break, melt etc, if you see a break or melt, then chop the break or melt out and use a crimp sleeve and crimp tool and reconnect the ends back together.

No it is a single filament bulb. Didn't work when OH first fitted it but he looked at it again and wiggled it around, gave it a shake and lo and behold it is working now:T