2003 Alhambra tail light lights issue

[hopeful glyn]

Hi All,

I've got a 2003 Alhambra and the tail lights have stopped working.

The break lights are still working. As both tail lights have stopped, I assumed it was a fuse, but I can't find a fuse for tail lights, or any info on this anywhere.

Can anyone point me to the correct fuse to replace, or if tail and break lights are on the same fuse, give me any other ideas as to why they may have stopped working.

Thanks in advance.

[zollaf]

have you checked the bulbs.

[hopeful glyn]

Thanks for your reply,

I confess I haven't. Given that both have gone at the same time (and it's just passed an MOT) I assumed a fuse was more likely.

Hence trying to locate the correct fuse first. Obviously if the fuse is the same as for the break lights, then checking the bulbs is the next step, but given the amount of hassle in getting at the rear bulbs, I was trying to make sure I wasn't making an idiot rookie mistake first before I start taking the rear of the car to pieces just to get at the bulbs.

if anyone can point me at the right fuse that would be appreciated, because I can't find the info anywhere on the internet.

ta.

[hopeful glyn]

so I decided to check the bulbs anyway while I'm waiting.

Access to the reversing and fog lights in the rear door are easy enough, by removing the panel in the inside of the door with a flat screwdriver. One bulb was a bit messy and needed cleaning, so it wasn't a complete waste of time, but the tail lights appear to be in the corner clusters, so onto that...

Access to the break lights cluster and tail lights appears impenetrable. I'm guessing this was designed by someone more used to designing forts than things people might want to actually get into.

I've removed the side panel inside to get access to the lights from the inside, and found the red clip, but still nothing is moving. loosened the two 8mm bolts, still nothing giving. Removed the trim under the back of the light cluster on the outside, appears to be no bolts there. At a loss.

It's down to something when you find you're unable to replace a fuse or a bulb. I'm obviously missing something here.

Any clues at all folks?

[niall campbell]

think its two plastic clips you squeeze & you leave the 8mm bolts alone

but I might be wrong

Can you take a picture for us to see ?

[niall campbell]

http://www.vrstamps.com/stuff/Galaxy/Seat%20Alhambra%20Users%20Manual.pdf Page 248 of the manual

[hopeful glyn]

Many thanks to all who replied.

It turns out that my guess at a broken fuse, turned out to be dodgy wiring on one side and a blown bulb on the other.

Thanks to all who pointed me in the right direction. Zollaf was right about the bulb, and Niall was right about it being a lot simpler to get access to the bulbs than I was experiencing. It is just a case of squeezing two plastic tabs and then pulling the bulb holder into the car (Not trying to remove the whole unit out of the car to get access as I was expecting, which was what was causing me problems)

And thanks for posting the pdf of the owners manual - that will save me a lot of hassle in the future - much appreciated.