28 replies to this topic

[UKspeedster]

On the way down to the Chase yesterday, Robski noticed that my right tail light wasn't working. However, I think I'm right in saying that the brake light was working fine (which I assume uses the same bulb) - although I'm sure there are numerous other VX's who might be able to tell me otherwise . Any suggestions of a cure, or shall I just ask the dealer to look at it at the next service later this month? Cheers Nick

[bugsy]

I haven't had a problem with the rear tail light but I had a similar problem with the reversing light so here's the check's I went through: 1) Change the bulb (change it with the other rear taillight) 2) Check the fuse (it's a 7.5A so simply swap it with another working fuse e.g. indicators) 3) Check the wiring (it's very easy to knock a wire when stuffing things in the boot) 4) Check the wiring connections for oxidation or a little rust. Give it a clean After that you have two choices, either take it to the garage or ask Ricky ps - my reversing light was fixed by replacing the reverse switch, nothing to do with the bulb, fuse or wiring.

[Lambo]

If it is both tail lights that are off then the previous response would be a good starting point. The two tail lights should be on the same fuse though, so if one works, it's probably not the fuse or the switch. In a similar way, the fact that the brake light works but the tail light doesn't, I doubt it is the connector. My money is on teh bulb - It will be a 5W/20W twin filament bulb. When chacking it be sure to get it back in the crrect way round, in my experience you can end up with very bright tail lamps and a dim brake light. Might also blow the fuse.. Just some thoughts. My first port of call would be the motor store for a new bulb.

[UKspeedster]

Cheers guys - do the tail light and brake light use different bulbs then? They are the same location (if you know what I mean) and therefore thought they used the same bulb...

[lobster]

No tail light problems, but I had exactly the same experience as Bugsy with the reversing light switch. Fixed under warranty

[Robski]

Nick I presume that you've sorted this out by now. What was the problem? Sod's Law that 7 months after spotting this problem on your car I've got exactly the same issue!!!!! I've checked the bulb and both filaments seem ok but from past experience I know that the filaments don't always blow in an obvious way.... What makes this worse is that my mate pointed this out when I was leaving his house last night. When I checked it at home it was working again!!! I'm hoping it's just a loose filament .... and nothing to do with the legendary lotus electrical weaknesses!

[UKspeedster]

Hi Rob, long time no see - must meet for a drink one evening. 'Twas a simple bulb replacement for me - even managed to get it out of the Vauxhall garage for free! who'd have thought it... Twin filament bulbs for the brake and tail light - so might be worth trying a replacement bulb. I've got some spare Vauxhall bulbs, so you can try one of those - alternatively, you could swap over your left and right rear lightbulbs. Drop me a line if you want some bulbs - will likely be at Island Gardens tonight for circuit training...

[Robski]

Cheers Mate! I'm pretty certain I have some bulbs sitting around in the garage somewhere! Fingers crossed. We'll have to sort that mini-meet out at some point... Rob

[theturbs]

We'll have to sort that mini-meet out at some point...



Rob

[Anarchy]

I have been having reversing light problems too, see below:

HERE

It may also be the gearbox switch. Bugsy, did you fix the switch yourself is it easy to find and repair/replace?

[IJP]

Just suffered this on a 53 plate Turbo. Constant blowing of the twin filament brake/rear position light. The bulbs were literally blowing apart and melting the plastic housing. I believe there is a wiring mod that has been highlighted by a VX dealer bulletin. This has now been fitted under warranty, but remains to be tested... Ian

[wilma]

I have a Turbo 2003 and just had both tail light bulbs blow and melt the plastic housing so that new bulbs cannot be put in. I have just returned from the garage in a corsa while i have both tailgate units replaced under warranty. Picador's are such a professional bunch they always come up trumps for me! Lets hope that all is fine after the replacement.

[IJP]

I have a Turbo 2003 and just had both tail light bulbs blow and melt the plastic housing so that new bulbs cannot be put in.

I have just returned from the garage in a corsa while i have both tailgate units replaced under warranty. Picador's are such a professional bunch they always come up trumps for me!

Lets hope that all is fine after the replacement.

They'll blow again if you don't get the wiring mod done! It was a dealer bulletin apparently so your dealer should be aware.....

They've not blown since we had this done.

[wilma]

I have a Turbo 2003 and just had both tail light bulbs blow and melt the plastic housing so that new bulbs cannot be put in.

I have just returned from the garage in a corsa while i have both tailgate units replaced under warranty.  Picador's are such a professional bunch they always come up trumps for me!

Lets hope that all is fine after the replacement.

They'll blow again if you don't get the wiring mod done! It was a dealer bulletin apparently so your dealer should be aware.....

They've not blown since we had this done.

I told Picador's I had seen something on this site about modification being needed - but they did not seem to be aware of it and said the replacement units would be fine... we wait to see....

[Toonturbo]

I also have same problem,[VXT03] with dealer insisting it`s the bulbs. I think in my case water may be getting in. Always the drivers side brake light and driving light at the same time, sometimes the bulb exploding. Am i right in thinking everyone has the problem on the drivers side?

[Robski]

I also have same problem,[VXT03] with dealer insisting it`s the bulbs. I think in my case water may be getting in. Always the drivers side brake light and driving light at the same time, sometimes the bulb exploding. Am i right in thinking everyone has the problem on the drivers side?

Yep!
However, in my case it was only one of the fillaments in the bulb that went. I can only assume this was a normal run-of-the-mill bulb failure as it is the only time it has happened in almost 20k miles

[vxtdude]

I put up a post on this twice (search light cluster). My rear brake lights have failed 6 times and my VXT 2003 is in West End now for the sixth time. Bulbs exploding and melting the housing. This time they are replacing the entire internal passenger wiring loom which is a £1500 parts costs and 3 days labour. It has been an utter nightmare. On previous occasions they have just replaced the bulbs, then the entire unit, now the whole wiring system of the vehicle.

[Robski]

With a bit of luck that will sort out your problems.... Fingers crossed for ya...

[SSH1]

Hmm... My 03 VXT seems to have the same problems, bulbs keep blowing & the housing melting (so bad that I couldn't get the blown bulb out without breaking it & had to file some of the plastic away to fit a new bulb in). Happened about 4 times now. Can anyone confirm there is a modification before I go to my local muppets & ask them to look at it? Dealer Bulliten reference number would be good as I'm sure they will say 'never heard of this problem before' scratch their heads & bodge something.

[SSH1]

Just been to local VX dealer, handled this with their usual degree of incompetance. Told them rear tail light bulbs keep blowing, and are melting the light housing, and that I had heard there was a technical bullitin from Vauxhall about this issue. 2 hours later, they have replaced the bulb that was blown, remarks were that it was possibly due to incorrect fitment, and I should bring it back if it happens again. I lost the plot with them, demanded to see service manager, asked him to tell quite how he thought the bulb had been fitted incorrectly, considering they only go in one way and the holder fits in and twists into place? And was I supposed to keep coming back and waiting for 2 hours every time a bulb blew? I have previously worked in the motor trade for 10 years,I'm pretty confident I can change a light bulb correctly, do they think everyone is as stupid as them? I have given up with them & logged a complaint with Vauxhall Customer services. It's the same every time, I dread going to Vauxhall Dealerships, how a company with such p*ss poor levels of customer service is still around is completely beyond my comprehension.They must set themselves extremely low levels of customer satisfaction, then consistantly fail to achieve them.

Edited by SSH1, 14 February 2005 - 04:29 PM.