Number plate lights

[rustytoba]

Hi All,

Just wondering if anyone has replaced the number plate lights with anything a little less temperamental.

I've already modified both of them a few years ago to accept small festoon bulbs the the old holders had overheated causing the little leaf spring holders to crack.

Now they seem to work ok off the car but as soon as they are seated in the bodywork nothing!

They could be shorting out but perhaps its time for a more reliable alternative.

As ever any thoughts would be most appreciated.

Scott

[Davey240]

Have you thought about fitting LED's?. My wife has an old S40 which are notorious for eating bulbs, i seem to be replacing one every other week. I have replaced a couple with LED's and they seem to last a lot longer, maybe because they give off less heat. Fitting them to your 240 may give it a more modern look which may not to be to everyones liking and it may be worth checking their legality / MOT compatibility. Dave

[Clifford Pope]

Originally Posted by rustytoba

Now they seem to work ok off the car but as soon as they are seated in the bodywork nothing!

Have you checked the earth connections?

9/10 lighting faults are a poor earth.

[blueblock]

FWIW, I replaced the bulbs with LED units and they are much better - brighter and clearer and the light doesn't look weirdly white, but I think that may have something to do with my car being a dark colour - if it was a white car it might be a bit jarringly bright against the paintwork.
They passed the MOT no problem.

[rustytoba]

Hi All,

Have checked the earth connections and they seem ok but decided to put some heat shrink on spade terminals just to play it safe.

To be honest both units are in pretty poor shape having been subject to a number of overhauls in the past I think if they make it to MOT time I'll be more than lucky although like Baldrick I may have a cunning plan!

I was behind what looked like a fairly new trailer this morning, that seemed to have some LED registration light units that wouldn't look to out of place.

A good excuse to look at car building solutions, vehicle wiring products etc

Scott

[hennabm]

When I bought my 240 the lamps were somewhat rusty and the screws almost rotted off.

I bought a new pair from Brookhouse and they are now just push in, so no more rusty screws. I also fitted LEDs and they stay cool and look good.

[rtbcomp]

I used a pair from Towsure as I needed some in a hurry. They screwed to the panel above the plates rather than fit in the existing holes, which isn't perfect but they work OK.

https://www.towsure.com/trailer-number-plate-lamp-small

https://www.towsure.com/towbars-towi...ight-units?p=1

This might be a good alternative

https://www.towsure.com/10-30v-led-t...ber-plate-lamp

[AlexO]

Second buying new units from Brookhouse. Some of the best money I ever spent on the 240 and a complete piece of p*ss to install.

Alex

[Antz]

Brookhouse charges a fortune fro delivery. Just go into your local dealer and order some from the parts counter.

You'd be amazed what you can get from your local dealer. Where do you think Brookhouse gets it all from????

[rustytoba]

Originally Posted by Antz

Brookhouse charges a fortune fro delivery. Just go into your local dealer and order some from the parts counter.

You'd be amazed what you can get from your local dealer. Where do you think Brookhouse gets it all from????

Thanks for the pointer however local dealers are hit and miss, clearly yours works well, mine sticks strictly to the 15 year policy thus making it the worst main dealer for miles losing shed loads of classic owners and local garages alike (its also a Ford and Jaguar dealer).

I stopped using them about 8 years ago when they decided to start this rubbish I was in the queue with three XK140 owners that day, they'd came all the way from Oban to order parts they where seriously miffed but at least they got there cars out for a wee run..

This is why I end up having to use Skandix a lot off the time as luck would have it I normally need what Brookhouse has just sold out of, sods law I guess.

Scott