Rear light assembly - Symbol

Hi

The left rear indicator has started playing up in my 2008 Symbol based on a Peugeot Boxer van. It has started flashing at double speed and the warning light has appeared on the dashboard. Rear lights also flashing oddly when the indicator is used and the indicator bulb is very dim.

Took the Van to the local Peugeot garage for attention as I couldn't see how to access the bulbs in the rear light assembly (no screws or lugs visible).

Have been told that the rear light assembly is sealed and can only be accessed from behind - unfortunately this is where the toilet and shower is located. The garage has said that the whole shower/toilet room needs to be dismantled in order to access the rear bulbs. This seems absolutely ridiculous, but the garage assures me there is no other way.

Has anybody any experience of this sort of issue, or can anyone offer any advice?

Thank you.

trvgak wrote:It has started flashing at double speed and the warning light has appeared on the dashboard. Rear lights also flashing oddly when the indicator is used and the indicator bulb is very dim.

 Do you have a towbar with electrics?

Typically this type of fault is caused by one of 3 things:

Someone fitting the wrong type of bulb - unlikely to be so in your case, as you would have mentioned a recent bulb change
Corrosion at the earth point for the light fitting
Waterlogging of the bypass relay that serves the towbar electrics, if installed.

I'm also pretty sure that A/S provide access to the light fitting so that you can change the bulb, though in some of their conversions this can be awkward. I've never owned a Symbol so I don't know the specific procedure for that conversion, but I've no doubt someone else here does!

Hi 
Welcome back on the forum.    
Boaby

I have access to the rear light clusters on my 2011 Symbol through removable panels inside the rear doors. I am sure you will need lights and mirror but AS have provided access. Please let me know how you get on it was one of my initial concerns until I saw the panels can be removed.

Jeff

On my van the bolts to undo the light cluster are behind these two removable caps:

[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

Is yours not the same?

If it is similar to my 2009 Symbol then you can remove the panel in the rear cupboard for access to the light cluster.
But, I suppose, if that is possible you would have done it.

Ignore the red connectors in the photo - they are there to power the SOG.

G

[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

Our 2009 Symbol was the same as Gram’s, but I recall the false panel in the rear cupboard was well disguised.  You may need to study it closely to find the fixings but I assure you it’s there.

Tim

Many thanks for all the helpful suggestions posted above. I will investigate further and let you know how I get on.

I am also emailing Autosleepers direct to see if they can shed any light on the issue.

If you plan to email AS using the contact form on their website then don't expect a quick response - or even any. It's a problem known to many of us on here.  Best advice is to give them a call and have your build number handy - it's prefixed with a 'P' and can be found on a label in the glovebox.

Tim

Trvgak
try putting your foot brake on and the indicator ? what happens now .you need to do some test so I can help here

Gram
great picture that will give you access as you said  . I will  turn a blind eye to the lovely scotch locks

I've managed to find and remove the panel in the rear cupboard - thanks to Gram for the info. Now I can get my hand inside but have no idea how to access the bulb - can't find anything by feeling around. Any suggestions?

Also Glyne, I have tested the lights with the footbrake on and the following happens:
- left indicator on             =    rear left indicator light flashing + both reversing lights flashing dimly.
- left indicator + footbrake =    both reversing lights flashing brightly + left side stop light flashing in unison

Does this give any clue as to the problem? Thanks.

Yes you have a bad earth that’s why I ask you to test this 
Can you see the o s light to see the fixing then you can see what to do on the n s light the hole light unit will come out then you can see the bulb holders can be removed .if you need any more help just ask again no problem .a bit wd40 on connections may fix

glyne lock wrote:Gram
great picture that will give you access as you said  . I will  turn a blind eye to the lovely scotch locks

Sorry about the Scotch Locks.

I must admit to being a bit reluctant to show off my shortcomings in public!

G

Trvgak
in your tool kit you may have a tool 17mm socket  remove the 2 nuts then the light unit will
come out remove the electric  plug now you can remove bulb holder 6 screws

Trvgak
did you sort your  light

Pleased to report success!

Following a bad weather delay (winds too strong to work in) following Glyne's advice, I located both fixing bolts and removed them with a 17mm socket. On removing the rear light assembly, one of the prongs on the electrical connector appeared corroded, as did the corresponding socket on the plug. I cleaned these both up and this has solved the problem. The prong in question was the end one nearest to the side of the van, with a black wire connected in the plug.

Removing the bolts was quite fiddly, but with perseverence it is doable. Very many thanks to all who have commented above, particularly to Glyne and Gram.

Trvgak
just got home from delivering my load of machines in a very snowy white Scotland last night to see  your reply and all sorted nice of you to come back with your appreciation for the help   and this well help other in the future with the same problem see what to do

Thanks trvgak, I'm glad it's now sorted.

G