Rear lights

[tim124]

W124 220TE estate: rear lights come on when tailgate is lifted but then go out when tailgate reaches about half-open position. Any ideas? Is this likely to be a switch problem or wiring? Thanks.

 

[Number_Cruncher]

It's a wiring problem in the hinge.

Good luck!

 

[television]

Would not this be the lights on the tail gate going out rather than the rear lights on the car

 

[Number_Cruncher]

Would not this be the lights on the tail gate going out rather than the rear lights on the car

The number plate lamps are in parallel with the side lamps.

EDIT: Thinking about it, the OP could help us with a more exact description of the problem. Which rear lights? Internal ones? External ones? What is switched on or off inside the car?, etc, etc.

 

[tim124]

Sorry, everbody, should have been more specific. It's the internal rear lights that are affected, that is the lamps for the rear passengers and the luggage area. The problem is only with the tailgate - when lifted, the lights come on and then go off when the tailgate is roughly 50% open. There isn't a problem when the rear passenger doors are opened, so I suspected it was something to do with the wiring connection to the tailgate (had a similar problem with a Renault estate many years ago: the wires suffer from fatigue failure due to the constant flexing when the tailgate is opened and shut). It seems my suspicion is correct (and it sound as though solving the problem will be a bit of nuisance?).
Thanks,
tim124