Hi guys.

I had a strange problem with the number plate bulbs in my grande punto.
The left bulb didnt work.
i check the bulb and it didnt burn, so i check the voltage with multi meter and it was only 6V. The voltage in the working bulb was 12V.
so i swich between the left and the right bulbs and now both of them dont work.
But they didnt burn.
I check the voltage again and now its 0V.
any ideas?
I think that maybe the problem is with the fuse, but i didt found in the manaul any fuse that related to the number plate light.

Thanks.

Kobi

as far as i know its powered off the side light circuit.....

check for voltage in the car itself * you will need to nick the wire to test with a sharp knife to test * they go out to the back bumper via the grommet behind the boot trim liner 1x torx bolt where boot open spring lands and 2x pozi screws and a few plastic snap fittings (mind the boot seal)

I've had a similar problem; in that the rear number plate lights don't work at all.

My manual says the fuse is F51.
Trouble is, my manual seems more aimed at the petrol versions whereas I have the 1.9 T-Jet Diesel. The location of the fuse boxes as per the manual don't exist; but I could find F51 under the bonnet which makes me wonder if it's still F51 in my car.

My bulbs aren't broken. The bulb holder contacts are clean - but I cleaned them up again just to be sure, as I did on the bulbs too. I've disconnected the battery negative terminal for 30 seconds...I looked at the fuse F51 - it's not blown. I checked the five or six fuses in the boot housing too - none were blown.
...I still get the same problem, which is the rear number plate bulbs don't illuminate.

My garage said they would order in a new bulb housing but that's clearly not the issue. This occured about a year ago (under warranty) shortly after I bought the car but they just said the contacts needed cleaning.

I've got my MoT test due in the next couple of weeks...and the warranty is due to expire.
Any ideas?

Where can I confirm that F51 is the right fuse to check and do I really need to have a look under the bumper?

I have the same problem with my plate lights, at first it was just the left light, now its both. My manual states that F51 is for the bluetooth control unit, which I dont even have, and there is no mention of a number plate light in any of the fuse descriptions. I have a Grande 1.2 Dynamic 56 plate. Any help would be appreciated.

Have you changed any sidelight bulbs or brake light bulbs? If indeed it is powered from the sidelights then maybe there is a feedback within the system. Like when the wrong brake light bulb is fitted to the wrong car and when they brake the indicators light up and dim the side lights. Just an idea mind

Sorry, it was me that revived this old thread in the hope someone would answer my problem, rather than having to start a new thread.

TheWolf said:

Sorry, it was me that revived this old thread in the hope someone would answer my problem, rather than having to start a new thread.

Click to expand...

Glad you did, I'm having the same issue.

Left bulb won't work unless I pop it out and put it back in, when I do that it orks until I turn the car off and turn it on again.

It can't be due to the fuse as the right one still works and it can't be feedback off the sidelights as I have replaced these.

Had the same problem. I know it sounds stupid but did you try changing the bulbs even if they don't look burn?

I'm having a similar issue. My right rear number plate bulb stopped working so I replaced the bulb and it still doesn't work.

Need a multimeter and check the earth and live supply separately

I'm having the same problem too, it's just the left bulb which I replaced recently, and the bulb doesn't appear to be shot at all but the housing for the bulb is really corroded so I don't know if that's something that can be replaced.

I just was going to replace both bulbs with error free LED ones but now I'm left with no working number plate bulbs at all.