Both rear tail lamps, loose/dodgy wiring

[nwxh]

I just tested my lights and found both tail lamps to be out. On wiggling the cables behind the left tail lamp, both came on again.

Having examined, it seems the wires come from the front of the car from the right had side not the left hand side, so I am confused by this. However, the sheath is damaged where it should be held by the metal tubing.

Is there a detailed guide to rewiring the car anywhere? I can't find it in the two Haynes manuals? The right earth seems to have been put in recently, but the left looks like it could be original.

[nwxh]

Ouch, having searched the forums, am I right in thinking it may have been a short caused where the loom has given way?

[mogbob]

Disconnect your battery ( earth lead first ) and thoroughly inspect the wires where the sheath is damaged.
The lighting part of the loom runs down the right hand side of the car ( viewed as sitting in the drivers seat. )
From the bullet connectors inside the boot bottom right hand side,they " feed " battery power to each rear light.There are separate earth leads to the body work.
If the wire/ wires are not too badly damaged you may possibly get away with taping up the damage with insulating tape.

If too bad / very few decent strands left, then you will have to replace the RED wiring with equivalent new wire (Standard PVC
14/0.30 size ,OD2.6mm rating 8.75 Amp....Supplier http://www.autoelectricsupplies.co.uk Product Code 010102 ).You will also need new bullets Code 031004 as a minimum.You will need a crimper, wire stripper, etc.There are of course other Automotive Electrical suppliers.

It is unlikely that you will find a car rewiring guide in a manual.You would need to purchase a classic car Electrical systems
manual..new or second hand.

Bob

[bmcecosse]

There's no 'magic' to rewiring a car - you simply follow the excellent wiring diagram at the head of this section! Print and laminate a copy......

[nwxh]

Many thanks. I will tape the five wires individually in case it is a short and then tape the outside.

What I can't find (and would like a manual for) is how to disassemble the lamp assembly for inspection/rewiring and exactly where to disconnect/reconnect/run the loom. Or is this so similar in all classic cars that a generic manual suffices?

[bmcecosse]

You don't need a 'manual' - it's simply common sense, and certainly not difficult... It won't be a 'short' - that would start a fire....

[nwxh]

That's what I was thinking, as the current draw would be huge. Yet I couldn't come up with any explanation for why moving the wires on the left side would cause both lights to suddenly work when they are in parallel and the connection from under the bonnet is on the right side.

I never go on common sense since I've need enough botches in only 25 years of living caused by lack of knowledge to make be believe I might cause my own one.

[mogbob]

The wires from the lamp housing emerge from the rubber backing pad and travel through the bodywork.Unclip the loom from the rearmost recess of the boot floor and disconnect at the bullet connectors noting /photographing/recording if you wish.
Inspect and clean up the bullets with emery or sand paper to ensure a good electrical contact before re-connecting.
The light unit individual light sockets could probably do with an internal clean after removing the bulbs and the plastic should be cleaned with hot soapy water.Thoroughly dry before reassembling.
Bob