Tail light not working

[dalmarshall]

On my mk2, brake light works but I have no N/S tail light.

So far I've changed the bulb, removed the cluster and given the contacts a rub with a bit of sandpaper, wiggled the wires, wiggled the fuses and it still doesn't work !

Oh, and I've given the lens a few little thumps!

Now all of the above usually fixes electrical stuff but it hasn't. Is there anything else I can check before I go to my next step...............tracing the loom back through the car and wiggling it lol!

[SmokeEm]

Before U mess about do the simple checks with a test lamp. Is there a positive at the bulb? If there is then investigate earth problem. If not start tracing back. Unlike my Granny, I don't think Escorts have a separate circuit each side so I think it will be simple to trace the fault.

[dalmarshall]

Thanks I'll pick up a tester and do that :thumb:

 

Mind you, it's a twin filament bulb and the brake light works so a +ve will be there.........won't it?

[dustydog]

Try fuses first and fuse contacts

[mk2 mike]

Dal I had the same thing a while back with my tail light playing up.

 

All was working fine, put the car in the garage, got it out a few days later and no tail light. On first inspection all bulbs and fuses were fine, and it was doing my head in why it would suddenly stop working of its own accord!

 

Anyway I took the fuses out again, cleaned them up with a bit of sandpaper and hey presto all was good!

 

Temperamental these older cars ;0)

[dalmarshall]

Cheers fellas I'll give it a go and report back!

[Vista]

Thanks I'll pick up a tester and do that :thumb:

 

Mind you, it's a twin filament bulb and the brake light works so a +ve will be there.........won't it?

Not necessarily. There are two separate 12v supplies to each tail light, one for the brake light and another for the tail light. They're two completely separate circuits as far as the positive supply goes, all they share is the earth through the lamp housing to the body. Is your sidelight out on the front that side too?