Tail gate wiring prob, # plate lights coming on with boot light

[anthonygubbin]

Hey guys I have never read a thread about this one. I have an issue with my tail gate wires. It seems to be up in the bit that goes through the body/roof and into the tail gate. What happens is when I switch boot light to the on position and lift or lower the tail gate to a certain position the light goes out but the number plates switch on, without the head light switch being pulled on. Also the number plate lights only light up when the boot light turns off. Any ideas?? I have had a suss and the prob does seem to be somewhere where the tail gate wires pass through to the roof. If it's too hard then I will have to take it in to an autoelectrician but I would like to avoid that if possible.

Regards A

[mud_slut]

Have you always had this problem or has it only recently popped up ?

[anthonygubbin]

Originally Posted by mud_slut

Have you always had this problem or has it only recently popped up ?

I have only noticed it in the last 2-3 weeks.

Regards A

[anthonygubbin]

No one, has a clue????

Regards A

[Mudmonster]

one or two may have rubbed through and may be earthing one out?

pull the wiring out and have a look at them, shouldn't need an auto elec for this one, wrap some electrical tape around them.

what year model is yours?? I have tailgate loom out of a 98 XJ if you get stuck

[mud_slut]

i have no idea. i think MM might be right, or replace the loom and see if that gets you anywhere. i think replacing the loom might be cheaper than going to an auto elec

[Richard buttocks]

ok as an auto elec, my guess would be that the tail gate light switch and the number plate light use the same wire for earth

leading me to assume that the earth wire is broken where the wire goes between the gate and the roof.

the number plate light has a lower wattage globe (than interior light) so when the earth is "removed" the interior light tries to steal earth from the number plate light and that causes it to light up...

remove harnes from roof and pull the rubber back and individually pull on each wire, if one is broken it will be pretty obvious.

i might add this is VERY common on new subaru's.