Hi guys,

I hope you can help with an issue I'm having, I had the MOT completed on my 03 plate MK2 Punto today, and it failed , on a number of things, but one was a detective registration plate light.

I picked one up from Halfords to replace the bulb and came across my problem, there wasn't one there in the first place, the plate is damaged and when the bulb was replaced it did not work.

I bought the car about a year ago and the dealer had an MOT carried out at the time which it passed. Having removed the light plate/lenses there was no bulb, so don't know how it passed MOT a year ago.

The plate/lenses is damaged, the collar where the bulb fits is snapped off from the horizontal plate that holds the lenses and the socket for the bulb is also heavily corroded.

When I replaced the bulb and put my lights on the bulb did not light, as far as I can see the light is on the same fuse circuit as the instrument panel which works fine.

So my question is can anyone think of anything else to check?, As the light isn't working but other things are, I'm assuming it's the corroded socket or bad wiring, both of which probably aren't know by the garage, so the cost would rocket if I got them to sort the issue.

Get a multi...meter or test lamp and see if there's actually power there..

If the holder is corroded...get another from scrap punto.

Let us know how you get on..

Bump, get a 2nd hand one complete with bulb holder & solder the wires on.

It sounds like you just need to cut the old one off
Get a decent 2nd hand one from a scrap punto - light holder/lens and wire

and then either use bullet connections, spade, solder and heatshrink to make a secure connection

Dont just tape and twist, it wont last

Ziggy

Check the back lights..clusters
See if there's a stray wire..

What a lot of garages will do ..is just add a link wire.. To back lights.
Yes it is a bodge..but it gets them the mot cert..

Cheers for the input guys, as it has stopped raining I was able to get a multimeter and test the connector. There was no current or voltage measurable at the connector so I'm guessing it's screwed.

I've included some images below to show the corrosion and the damaged plate.

Ziggy122 said:

It sounds like you just need to cut the old one off
Get a decent 2nd hand one from a scrap punto - light holder/lens and wire

and then either use bullet connections, spade, solder and heatshrink to make a secure connection

Dont just tape and twist, it wont last

Ziggy

Click to expand...

Well much like the Avengers, everything is assembled and tomorrow I will be cutting off the old connector and wiring up a new one. wish me luck!!

cplhicks said:

Well much like the Avengers, everything is assembled and tomorrow I will be cutting off the old connector and wiring up a new one. wish me luck!!

Click to expand...

Take your time and you should be fine

Ziggy

Well I've managed to replace the connector, but it still isn't working .

I had current and voltage to the wires once the old connector was removed, so it was the problem. I also had current and voltage to the new connector once it was wired up, but sadly the bulb does not light.

I managed to blow the fuse during this process, which I've replaced but still no luck.

So with my MOT retest on Tuesday, does anyone have any ideas to a) fix the issue or b) fake it so I can pass the MOT?

I'm going to pick up some more bulbs but don't think that will be the answer

tried turning bulb around?

I've tried three different bulbs (2 brand new) and none works, I tired flipping the round but nothing. I will probably double check that though just for my own piece of mind!!

so lights are turned on via steering wheel switch and you are getting 12v through cable and light doesnt come on?
thats strange

I'm an idiot, it needed a bit of a wiggle and it now works!!!!

Might be my connections, might go to town with the tape but thank you everyone for the help.