R3mR rear fog lamp question

[macabethiel]

Just on the day its foggy I thought I would switch on my rear fog lamp.
(The lamp itself was replaced when it went for its MoT in July 2010 as it was badly corroded and would not work its worked OK for the last 4 months).)
I switched on my fog light switch today (its a factory fitted rocker switch that also puts on the front & rear sidelamps- fitted below the engine warm up switch) and it worked for about five minutes then stopped.

I checked the fuse under the hood and the fuse is marked FR & Fog - it was blown. I checked to see if the bulb in the fog lamp was OK and water poured out of it. Must have been half full of water, lamp innards all rusty and no power at the lamp bulbholder.

I replaced the blown 15 amp fuse and it blew immediately so it would appear the water in the lamp was not the reason for the fuse failure ?

A 15 amp fuse for such a circuit seem O.T.T. so I am wondering what the FR stands for as there might be some other item on the circuit that is causing the problem. The fuse size is marked on the fuseholder so its the right fuse.

The R50 manual wiring diagram does not show a rear fog lamp as they are probably not standard spec in Japan. The wiring to the lamp appears to be part of the original wiring loom.

Anyone got any ideas what FR might stand for or anyone with an R3mR that has had a similar problem ?

 

[rustic]

Since frog men swim under water and your lamp was under water and it is clearly labelled FR Fog lamp, isn't it obvious.....:nenau


It must be a "Frog Lamp" simples......:lol :lol :lol


I would disconnect the cable at the rear of the lamp and check leakage to earth before replacing the fuse, I suspect it is the bulb connector which has a whisker of rust making a short.

Hope this helps,
Best regards, Rustic

 

[macabethiel]

Rear fog lamp woes

I would disconnect the cable at the rear of the lamp and check leakage to earth before replacing the fuse, I suspect it is the bulb connector which has a whisker of rust making a short.

Hope this helps,
Best regards, Rustic[/QUOTE]

Hi Rustic & thanks,
Disconnected wiring from lamp innards, taped up wires to avoid shorting, trepid replacement of fuse and viola it did not blow.
Ordered replacement lamp on e-bay for £6.24 inc P&P will rig up temporary bulb holder to stay road legal until it arrives.
Seems simples now !

Just to knock me back on a roll noticed front sidelamp bulb had blown replaced bulb, lamp worked for 5 seconds then stopped ! Noticed there were two scotch locks on the feed wiring loom nearby and wire had snapped. Now will need to add a couple of inches to the wiring and fit some decent terminal connectors. Good job I have a few days off until I go back to work on Tuesday !

P.S. I think the FR stands for Friggin Rusty !! Ha Ha

 

[lacroupade]

If it said 'FR Fog' then I'd say front fogs or front right fog, but the '&' is confusing.....

 

[macabethiel]

That ampisand

If it said 'FR Fog' then I'd say front fogs or front right fog, but the '&' is confusing.....

I added the & - a sort of punctuation moment !

 

[rustic]

I hate scotchblock connectors, they can work if the area is always perfectly dry, but they corrode due to different metals being in contact with moisture.

It can help if you fill with vaseline or waxoyl before you connect them.

 

[(RIP) PLANK]

it is said that modern genuine 'vaseline' is quite acidic, I know someone eho used to smear it on old chrome spoked wheels to keep them in goon condition while in storage. The last time he used it they went rusty! Parafin jelly is supposed to be a better option now, or maybe a little copperslip would do as it is conductive.

 

[rustic]

it is said that modern genuine 'vaseline' is quite acidic, I know someone eho used to smear it on old chrome spoked wheels to keep them in goon condition while in storage. The last time he used it they went rusty! Parafin jelly is supposed to be a better option now, or maybe a little copperslip would do as it is conductive.

I remember putting vaseline on the chrome bumpers on my mini during the winter and my chromed spoked wheels on my motorbike.
I still have a tub in the garage which is 10+ years old, I use it on bulbs to prevent corrosion, so if the formulae has changed, it may affect other uses...

eg lubrication of "o" rings.

 

[(RIP) PLANK]

the source i quoted (my mate with the wheels) is my only source for this, but he is pretty reliable on such things!

very small 'genuine' scotch locks have a blob of vaseline type stuff in them as standard!