Connections to number plate lights.

[AGM155]

Hi guys, I am a new 155 owner having taken delivery of one late last week. These cars are quite rare in Australia - I believe mine and Shiny Car's are the only ones being used on the road in Victoria because Alfa didn't have a distributor here between 1992 and 1998.

Anyway I have an issue - my rear numberplate lights are not working, and neither is the boot release switch in the glovebox. Everything seems fine at the fusebox and earths but there is no power at the connections to the lights in the bootlid. Now, the workshop manual states I should be able to find some connectors around the rear seat (G307 in the diagrams) but I can't seem to find them under the boot lining or under the rear seat, unless I've missed them - but it doesn't seem to be there. Its quite an early 2.0 TS 8V so if anyone could lend a hand it would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

AGM155

[unquestioned]

Open the boot & check the wire loom under the plastic sleeve that goes to the boot lid, it's on the left hand side of the lid. You probably have a broken wire in there.

[AGM155]

That was the first thing I checked, but there was no visual damage to the wires and moving them about in an attempt to re-establish connection if that was indeed the issue had no effect either. Its dark here now but I'll have another look tomorrow.

[celadon]

definitely sounds like broken wires in the loom where the rubber sleeve goes between bootlid and body.

I would think they share a common earth on the lid ?
Is everything else lights-wise working on the lid ?

If everything isn't working it could be a common earth, and if only some are working most likely wires broken inside the insulation,under the rubber sleeve.

[AGM155]

Everything else on the bootlid is working. I'll have another look tomorrow - sounds like I'll be digging the soldering iron out.

Thanks for the help guys.

[celadon]

The boot release wire is the big thick one.

If you grab the wire near to the lid and pull away from the body, the insulation will normally split where the wire is broken.
Once you've found where that one is split, the others are likely to be split in the same place

[alfa.chris]

Broken wires have just repaired the ones on my v6

[AGM155]

Broken wires yes, but they were not in the bootlid loom rather deep in the bowels of the car. I gave up and took it somewhere where the guys know what they're doing and it took them a number of hours to trace the problem. 5 broken wires were found - some touching each other. Apparently when you pressed the boot release the parking lights flashed

Anyway the problem is solved thanks to everyone who contributed for their help. Now onto a number of other issues that were picked up on. I might have to make a specific thread dedicated to issues I encounter because as I said at the start of the thread there is no parts support whatsoever for the 155 in Oz.

[unquestioned]

You'd find alot more help on alfa155.org as it's visited more by 155 owners.

[Alfa155 TS]

Hi AGM, first of all well done on ur choice, i have the 16v 155 which is the widebody and have yet to find a better allround Alfa that still puts a big smile on my face.
Could you tell us exactly where the lads found the cable break? have to go tracing mine because i have the same problem with the boot release but i actually had to remove the fuse because when i put in a new fuse and tried it the new fuse blew and a bit of smoke came out, not good. Although my lights are all fine.

[alfa.chris]

You've got rubber tube left dide of boot going to just under screen the broken wires will be in there

[Alfa155 TS]

yeh i just checked in there this evening and the cables are fine there, no breaks, i even traced it down to the lock itself and all looks ok so it could be somwhere before the boot!

[unquestioned]

Originally Posted by Alfa155 TS

yeh i just checked in there this evening and the cables are fine there, no breaks, i even traced it down to the lock itself and all looks ok so it could be somwhere before the boot!

To find that, remove all the boot liner & look up, you will see the connectors for the boot loom. After that it goes along the passenger sill.

[AGM155]

Sorry I'm not sure where exactly they found the break, but I think it might have been towards the front of the car because my wing mirror adjustment started working too, but it does sound like you might have a similar problem if the wires are physically broken and touching one another.

Unquestioned, I signed up to alfa155.org - waiting for my account to be activated.

[alfa.chris]

Originally Posted by AGM155

Sorry I'm not sure where exactly they found the break, but I think it might have been towards the front of the car because my wing mirror adjustment started working too, but it does sound like you might have a similar problem if the wires are physically broken and touching one another.

Unquestioned, I signed up to alfa155.org - waiting for my account to be activated.

Is it the same user name?????
One for use will give them a kick for you

[AGM155]

Thanks alfa.chris, I got another existing member and I'm registered now - I'll see you over there.