Plate Lights are Out, Looking for Ideas

[machone]

Thanks to everyone that responded.

Finally tackled it this morning - used a multi-meter to confirm that the lights were unplugged prior to removing the bumper cover.

Found the bumper cover surprisingly easy to remove - there are some pretty good instructions on this forum, but I found the pictures in the Bentley manual very helpful.

Plug was hanging in the bumper cover - plugged it back in and both lights worked. Wire-tied it together just to avoid this happening again, and replaced the bumper cover. Need to pick up a couple plastic rivets for the spoiler cover, but other than that the repair is complete.

Repair #2 done (also replaced the cigarette lighter with a standard dimension one) - now to save up for the Litronic conversion kit....

Originally Posted by Kirk

You don't need to specifically find Ground #8. Maybe you know this already, so please excuse me if I'm telling you something you already know:

The whole car body is part of the grounding system for electrical components. I was suggesting then that you just check continuity between the negative (ground) lead in the bulb socket to the car's body somewhere (the trunk latch hardware should do). That will tell you at least if the harness is unplugged.

Kirk

[Kirk]

Originally Posted by machone

Need to pick up a couple plastic rivets for the spoiler cover, but other than that the repair is complete.

FYI, I tapped those holes for the spoiler cover and installed some allen head bolts to hold it in place. I've had my rear bumper off several times (installed an aftermarket one) and have always been glad I did this. There's not much "meat" to tap into, but the bolts only need to hold a plastic cover, so they don't need to be heavily torqued. Clearance to the rear trunk should be gauged carefully too.

Kirk