Delta 12 Plate: Rear Light Cluster Info....

[Penguin2007]

Hi All

 

Had an error warning come up on the Delta dash within a few days of purchase - looks like an 'orange spark plug' ... with 'check LHS turn indicator'.

 

The warning light self corrects if i) you switch the ignition off or ii) you turn on the left hand indicator or iii) if you open and lock the car door with the spare key at the garage leaving the engine running on forecourt.

 

The car went in with my other fault, (cruise control & hill start) but the computer diagnostics download did not have any error messages for this fault.

 

After a hairy trip out, with no left turn indicators at all - the car was taken back to the seller, and referred on to Chrysler for a diagnosis check. (Remembered to take a photo of the dash light to prove the point). It was the third time, I had been back to seller with same fault.

 

LUCKILY this time, the error had been recorded by the on board diagnostics computer, and it turns out to be a faulty rear light cluster. A complete replacement required - even though its just the left turn indicator.

 

Thats the good news.

 

The bad news is the nearest replacement part is in ..... Italy!

 

Ordered, and hopefully here before I venture off on my tour to Scotland next week.

 

[i do not know the error code that has been thrown up on the Chrysler diagnostic checker].

 

 

Regards

 

Chris

 

Morris A35 Van, Ford Cortina Mk3, Ford Cortina Mk4, Fiat Uno x 2, Fiat Punto, Fiat Tipo, Fiat Bravo x 2, Fiat Stilo, Fiat Bravo, and now ... Chrysler Delta 1.6 Sat Nav plus

[Penguin2007]

Replaced under warrantee

 

Glad about that - the invoiced price was quite high.

 

Cost me 45 miles of diesel, 3 hours of driving and waiting time (plus two tea breaks for the service technicians)

 

Chris

 

Morris A35 Van, Ford Cortina Mk3, Ford Cortina Mk4, Fiat Uno x 2, Fiat Punto, Fiat Tipo, Fiat Bravo x 2, Fiat Stilo, Fiat Bravo, and now ... Chrysler Delta 1.6 Sat Nav plus

[Nello]

Chris - did they mention anything about the LED's being replaceable or did they make you get a whole new light unit? I have 3 LED's just gone out on my near side rear light. Fearing now it may need a complete unit  - Cheapest search is around £150 on ebay from Italy....... Hoped LED's would have lasted longer and would have been replaceable somehow?!

[Penguin2007]

Complete unit replacement - a bit of a farce in the end ...

 

Replaced under warrantee - if you can get one at that price - go for it.

The cheapest I found, on a rummage on the net was for about 288 euro - from Italy - a real pain - only 2 weeks old to me, and it threw up the orange warning light. As far as I could see on the light unit, all the lights were ON -it was a faulty circuit board.

(I somewhat wonder - I was challenged as to why I had 'marked' the unit - to see if it had been replaced).

 

LEDs should last longer than the car - but the current surge when all kicks in on start up etc, will shorten life.

Is your unit in the 3 year / 60K mile limit? If so bend an ear, alternatively, if its inside the 60K mile, it might be worthwhile pushing the point a bit?

 

Regards from a VERY wet Orkney Islands

 

Chris

 

Morris A35 Van, Ford Cortina Mk3, Ford Cortina Mk4, Fiat Uno x 2, Fiat Punto, Fiat Tipo, Fiat Bravo x 2, Fiat Stilo, Fiat Bravo, and now ... Chrysler Delta 1.6 Sat Nav plus

[Nello]

Thanks Chris - They are circa £150 via ebay.it - the italian version. I noticed the three LED's on mine started to blink when I activated my Follow-me-Home lights and now the three have stopped coming on completely. Mines a 2011 and bought used so I'll be buying and fitting. Looks simple enough - access via the flap in boot - two internal Allen-keyed fixings. I'm going to take off to check..... Ironically though the car does not seem to have noticed - no errors on dash etc.

Stay dry!

Edited August 10, 2014 by Nello

[Nello]

OK update - I opened the internal flap to the side of the boot to view behind the light cluster. I noticed there seems to be a small array of fuses/circuitry 'sitting' on top of the sound insulation behind that cover. Has anyone else opened up these flaps and seen these? Mine appeared suprisingly not be be fixed to the bodywork in any way? The reason I ask is after touching and checking everything was seated correctly - all my LED's seem to be back on perfectly OK again now?  This is inside the nearside rear boot.

Edited August 15, 2014 by Nello

[Nello]

Anyone had a chance to look inside the opening in the boot at these relays? Will post up a photo but I'm interested to know if they are fixed or mounted on anyone elses car?

Just remove the left hand side cover - it just unclips out...

[Lucky]

It's mounted, 90 degrees to the direction of the car. I'll try to remember to take a photo later today.

[Nello]

Thanks Lucky - will be interested to see. Mines not fixed to anything at all for some reason and sitting on top of the soundproofing?! Italians! 

Edited September 5, 2014 by Nello

[Lucky]

Here's a picture:

 

http://img001.us.expono.com/101617/101617-177306-d539b2_l.jpg

[Nello]

Perfect Lucky - thanks very much. Though I have no idea why mine appear to be loose without being fixed to anything. Will be securing asap! 

[Nello]

Does any Technie know if theres anything that can be done about a couple of flickering intermittent LEDS in my NSR light? Driving me nuts - cannot see anything loose etc.?

Presuming as they are within an LED strip it'll be a new whole light assembly if not?! 

[fleraflav]

I had to replace the whole light.it was covered in my warrenty as it was a fault.

[Nello]

Did yours do the same then fleraflav? Seems to be the bottom 3 LED's on the NSR light and occasionally 2 in the middle?

Its not all the time though bizarrely?

[fleraflav]

Yeah I had the same problem and it kept telling me it wasn't working on the system.

[Nello]

Strange - no errors on the dash for me.... I'll see how it goes - cheers anyway

[T14086]

LEDs are more reliable than bulbs, likely probles are external like corrosion or connections at clustet or further up loom. Out of interest has anyone fitted and connected a towbar to car with LEDs?

[Nello]

Yes thanks T - I will check up the wiring but I would have thought it would have knocked out more than just a couple of LED's if that were the case........and hopefully no corrosion just yet!! I also might have expected a warning on the dash like flav had. Will see and report back!

[Nello]

Without wanting to tempt fate but in typical Italian fashion my rear light cluster is working perfectly once more for no apparent reason?...................

[Penguin2007]

Hi Nello

 

Its called the frost effect ...

 

Well, when components cool significantly they shrink .... and the contacts get closer together.

One wonders if you run them for a while, whether or not you get the heat effect - even LEDs give off a small amount of heat.

 

 

Don't know really   Pure luck? 

 

Was it the whole cluster? If its still under the big W it may pay to get it replaced.

 

Dealer fit for my W replacement would have been expensive, If I had to pay.

 

Regards

 

Penguin

 

Morris A35 Van, Ford Cortina Mk3, Ford Cortina Mk4, Fiat Uno x 2, Fiat Punto, Fiat Tipo, Fiat Bravo x 2, Fiat Stilo, Fiat Bravo, and now ... Chrysler Delta 1.6 Sat Nav plus

[Nello]

Its actually started working OK since before the frosts started. It was just the bottom three LED's on the nearside light unit were flickering........

I've had my eye on a couple of units on Italian ebay just in case circa £150 all in but its been fine for a good few months now!.................................though the thoughts probably knackered it now!

[Penguin2007]

You may find that if you note the dodgy LED positions, remove and apply a small powered soldering iron, it may solve the problem. 

Low melting point solder as well.

It may save you £150  - I claim my 10% commission if it does work.

 

You won't loose out if you don't try it. Bank balance will be a bit healthier as welll!!!!!

 

One thing I did do when I took mine in, was to mark the cluster that was 'supposed to be' changed.

 

Don't like the local full Dealership (Chrysler / Jeep) - would not have put it past them, to do the trick that I suggested above 

 

They would not get the part in and supply it to my dealer, as it required specialist tools ....

Cross head screwdriver, a pair of hands with a second person useful, plus the infamous warrantee would not be valid.

 

Penguin

[fleraflav]

I had the same problem a week after I bought it to the dealer. They replaced the whole light under the warrenty. I had to wait a week for the part to come from Italy and was forced to drive a 2014 Peugeot 2008!

[Penguin2007]

That turn around was quick - it took the C J dealership I dealt with nearly 3 weeks.

 

Blamed it on the Italian (Salami) holiday.

 

 

Penguin

[Nello]

OK strange - after all this time - the bottom three LED's on my nearside cluster have been fine - returned from the Shops tonight and noticed the middle three LED's on the inner strip of the rear lights were out?   Wiggled the wiring loom going in to the light unit inside the boot and the LED's flickered on and off............. Hmmm maybe I do need a new rear light unit afterall....I've found a new one in Italy for about £120 so may be worth just changing the whole thing...

Edited March 7, 2015 by Nello

[Rossocorsa]

£120! Blimey you are a lot more casual with cash than me, is it not at all possible to open the light up and do something? Incidentally Stuart's twin turbo has a funny glitch on one of his back lights when he brakes occasionally a small number of the LEDs flicker but not all the time just sometimes.