Side marker lights

wildebus said:
these are not the side markers that go along the length of a long vehicle however. Those side markers are only a requirement on commercials over a certain length, and while often fitted to Motorhomes are not an actual requirement.
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Not my words David, I just copied and pasted.
But my attitude is they are there for a reason, and I personally would fix them.
 
Fisherman said:
Not my words David, I just copied and pasted.
But my attitude is they are there for a reason, and I personally would fix them.
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the markers that are referred to in your paste are not the ones that the OP has a problem with though. The confusing thing is there are lots of different "markers" on a vehicle, and what is required depends on the width, height, length and use of a vehicle.
Are they there for a reason? well actually no, they are there for no reason when the use of the vehicle is applied as far as the construction and use regulations go.
 
BOTCANU said:
Not part of the MOT either , only top marker lights front and rear if over 2.1m wide 👍
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colinm said:
AFAIK if lights are fitted they must work.
P.s. just checked and side marker lights don't seem to be in the mot manual
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FWIW, I got an 'advisory' that a side marker light was out when the van last went for MOT. I plan to replace all the markers with LEDs and fit new wiring at the same time. Haven't done it yet as the garage said there was no hurry!
 
Fisherman said:
When you say two of them are working are they next to each other and towards the front, or are they random lights on one side.

If they are the two lights closest to the cab, then check the connections on the next light in line.
They will be wired in parallel and there's a chance that the wiring between the second and third lights is broken, this would result in all lights past the second one from working. If they are random then the chances are they are faulty units.
If you put a multi meter on the last in line (furthest away from the cabin) and you get a voltage reading this rules out a wiring defect.
Or Take a faulty light and fit it to were one has been working, if it still does not work then its the light, if it does work its the wiring.
I hope this has helped.
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Fisherman said:
When you say two of them are working are they next to each other and towards the front, or are they random lights on one side.

If they are the two lights closest to the cab, then check the connections on the next light in line.
They will be wired in parallel and there's a chance that the wiring between the second and third lights is broken, this would result in all lights past the second one from working. If they are random then the chances are they are faulty units.
If you put a multi meter on the last in line (furthest away from the cabin) and you get a voltage reading this rules out a wiring defect.
Or Take a faulty light and fit it to were one has been working, if it still does not work then its the light, if it does work its the wiring.
I hope this has helped.
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Hi Thanks for that. Yes they are together and the first two from the cab, so I will investigate as you say.
Best wishes
 
Alshymer said:
Hi Thanks for that. Yes they are together and the first two from the cab, so I will investigate as you say.
Best wishes
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Well then this suggests a faulty connection within the third light which will be feeding the rest in line. When fault finding I always looked for a common denominator, this could be yours. The fault may also be in the second light. Although it’s working it also supplies the others. I would also try bypassing the third light by joining the wires together to see if the other lights work. If the third light is faulty it may prevent the others in line from working.
 
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witzend said:
How long is your van under 6 mtr passenger vehicle their not legally required you could replace them with reflectors
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Hi 6.6mtrs.
Just failed in a French Contrôle Technique in France along with the tyres. All Conti Vanco camper but for some reason some company had fitted 2 winter tyres to the normal ones I had on.
That would have been ok on the same axle but of course they weren’t!!
 
Gosh these wires are so short. I have only a couple of inches to work with!!
Do the lights come apart or are they sealed units?
 

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Fisherman said:
Well then this suggests a faulty connection within the third light which will be feeding the rest in line. When fault finding I always looked for a common denominator, this could be yours. The fault may also be in the second light. Although it’s working it also supplies the others. I would also try bypassing the third light by joining the wires together to see if the other lights work. If the third light is faulty it may prevent the others in line from working.
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How does one change the bulbs in these?!!! Can’t see any way from outside.
 

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I can't find any mention of side marker lamps in the class 4 test manual ...

Only Front and rear end of outline lamps ....

Screenshot_20230114_102042_Chrome.jpg


And if its not IN the manual then it's NOT tested ...
Shouldn't even attract an advisory .

I'm happy to be corrected IF someone can point me to the relevant part in the manual .
 
That only applies to end of outline lamps ...
Not side markers ..
There is no mention of side markers in the test manual that I can find .
 
I too have always understood that if a light is fitted, it should work. However, I have fitted additional lights to many vans, and I know the testers ignore them if not listed in the manual.
So it would appear the "if fitted it should work" does not hold up. Regardless of if it makes sense or not.
 
mark61 said:
I too have always understood that if a light is fitted, it should work. However, I have fitted additional lights to many vans, and I know the testers ignore them if not listed in the manual.
So it would appear the "if fitted it should work" does not hold up. Regardless of if it makes sense or not.
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Spot on ....
The MOT test (at least in the UK) only covers items listed in the testers manual/schedule ...

Not random items (obviously adding extra spot lights SHOULD conform with vehicle lighting regulations )
BUT the MOT is actually fairly black and white as to what is covered/tested .
 
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