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-   -   Headlights, tail lights and cops, oh my! (https://landroverforums.com/forum/discovery-ii-18/headlights-tail-lights-cops-oh-my-69762/)

KernowDiscovery 10-15-2014 08:55 PM

Headlights, tail lights and cops, oh my!
 
Anyone else with a DII have the intermittent issue of their tail light and head light going out - but not at the same time? If the headlight is out, the tail light is working. If the tail light is out, the headlight is working. You get the idea. Coincidence - are they connected? I'm not too familiar with the inner workings of Lucas electronics and tonight it finally caught up with me. I was driving home with my husband and we passed three cop cars on a busy stretch of highway pulling over one lone vehicle. Slow night in Traverse. I commented on the fact and kept going, watching my speed, etc. As I was doing so one of the three police cars (which happened to be a State cop) left the other two and moseyed on down the road behind me. I decided to turn left and take the quieter gentler road home but as soon as I made my left turn, the cop lights appeared in the rearview mirror.

I haven't been pulled over in YEARS so this was unnecessary excitement in my life.

I opened my door because, like other Rovers, Bertha's darn window is broken and won't roll down. Bertha looks pretty good - she's nice and shiny and doesn't look suspicious so I was a little taken off guard when the conversation went something like this:

'Hi there officer, hm.. what did I do?'

'Why don't you give me your driver's license and then I'll tell you' (I noticed him glance at the back end of Bertha as he walked up)

'It's my tail light, isn't it? I just hit it earlier this evening'

'Hit it?...'

'Yeah, I noticed it wasn't working and I hit it with the palm of my hand' (gesturing as if I was conking my palm onto something)

'Yes, it's your tail light'

'I'm sorry...I think there may be a short in the electronics - I need to get it taken care of'

'What are you two up to tonight? Where are you coming from?'

'Sam's Club'

'Where is Sam's Club?' he asked.

I gave him a quizzical look.

'I'm new to town and really don't know where it's located. Where is it?'

'Welcome to Traverse City! Uh... I'm really bad with directions - I've lived here all of my life but am horrible at directions. Do you know where Best Buy is located?'

'Yes'

'Well it's just across the road from Best Buy - off of Silver Lake Road'

'Ok.. got it - I know where you mean'

'If I could just get your proof of insurance and registration'

(Digging into the glove box and banging it against my husband's knees, noticed my hand shaking)

'Ok, here they are..'

'Do you two have anything that you're trying to conceal in your vehicle?'

(***uh.. huh, wah?...***)

'Just the two dressers behind me' as I smiled.

'Did you buy those at Sam's?'

(banged up pieces of junk that I'm planning on painting - one with the Union Jack and the other fixed up with vintage maps of Michigan all over it)

'No sir. We repurpose furniture and sell it in our store'

'Where is your store?'

(seriously??? .... but I told him)

'Oh! I know exactly where that is. I should have come to you two when I moved here to furnish my place. How about you sir.. do you have identification?' (as he looked at my husband)

lol.. I think my husband was frozen in time. This was his first experience being pulled over by the police in the States.'

'Where is your id honey?'

'It's in the back in my wallet in my blue bag'

'It's in the back in his wallet in his blue bag' I repeated.

'That's ok - I don't need it. I'll be back - I'm going to go run your information.'

(Lights still flashing behind us. God this is taking forever.. he finally walks back with my info in his hand)

'I'm not going to give you a ticket tonight.' (thank god).

'Thank you - we will definitely get this problem seen to in the near future'. (eeks!) May I get out and hit my tail light so I'm not pulled over down the road?' - I smiled.

'After I leave you can get out and do whatever you please' - he smiled.

And off he drove. I promptly got out and hit the rear driver side tail light.

SO.. two questions:

1) Does anyone think my headlight and tail light issue are related? Is it possible the electronics are connected? and

2) Are there any cops on the forum? Not that I had anything to hide but why the personal inquisition for a tail light being out? Why do cops act like they are talking to you as a person but all the while trying to get you to trip up on something? I seriously felt like I was being quizzed to death!

That's my rant for the day :)

Shade Tree 10-15-2014 09:20 PM

Everything you said sounds exactly like I would expect the officer to react when you exited the vehicle. For some reason police do not like it at all when you get out of the car (unless they tell you to). I have quizzed several cops over the years about this, and I have never been given a reasonable answer.
I have concluded by default that it has to do with their feeling of being in control of the situation (they won't admit that).
It doesn't sound like the event was anything out of the ordinary, other than you dodged the ticket.

A fat, old, angry white guy like me would have been pistol whipped in the back seat of the squad car.

Racer X 10-15-2014 09:21 PM

1) Clean the bulb contacts in your taillight thoroughly, and follow up with some bulb grease. On the headlights, same deal, however depending on how bad the contacts are, those might require replacement.

2) Not a cop, but that's exactly what they're trying to do; trip you up on something trivial to pursue a further investigation. It could be idle chit chat to break the tension, but sadly I've been on the harassment side of things enough times that I treat all police interaction with suspicion.

I'm never ever belligerent to a LEO, but I don't volunteer information that has absolutely nothing to do with the "reason" I'm being stopped, nor do I forfeit my rights unnecessarily.

TRIARII 10-15-2014 09:25 PM

Im not really sure but the first thing to do is check all your exterior lightning bulbs and replace any that are worn, next inspect all your fuses, look for the fuses that control your front and rear lights and replace if needed, next consider replacing your brake light switch which is cheap and located directly underneath your brake pedal. It is an easy repair and takes maybe 5 minutes. Remove the lower kick plate above the brake and gas pedals, use needle noise pliers to remove the clip holding the brake light switch in place and replace. If you do all that and still have the issue than it may be electrical in which Id recommend you have an experienced mechanic diagnose. Hope the best to you.

KernowDiscovery 10-15-2014 09:27 PM


Originally Posted by Shade Tree (Post 486174)
Everything you said sounds exactly like I would expect the officer to react when you exited the vehicle. For some reason police do not like it at all when you get out of the car (unless they tell you to). I have quizzed several cops over the years about this, and I have never been given a reasonable answer.
I have concluded by default that it has to do with their feeling of being in control of the situation (they won't admit that).
It doesn't sound like the event was anything out of the ordinary, other than you dodged the ticket.

A fat, old, angry white guy like me would have been pistol whipped in the back seat of the squad car.

Oops.. did I make it sound as if I exited the vehicle? Nope.. stayed in the driver seat with my seatbelt buckled. I just opened the door a crack because I haven't fixed the window yet. He asked me twice where our store was located - I answered him once and then he asked me again. It was really starting to annoy me but I kept the smile in place :D Definitely happy that I dodged the ticket. lol.. I'm sure you're not a fat, old, angry white guy:)

ArmyRover 10-15-2014 09:27 PM

From working check points overseas we preferred the driver to stay seated and belted in with both hands at 10 and 2 on the wheel. That way we can see what they are doing with their hands not armed and are not likely to attack us. Difficult from in the car with a seat belt on. When you get out you now have options to fight pull a knife or gun etc. It makes you nervous not knowing their intentions. So in the future wait for the officer to get to the window and mouth out windows broken may I open the door and keep your hands in view. Everyone will be happier and calm.

Oh and check connections something is loose and shorting out

KernowDiscovery 10-15-2014 09:30 PM


Originally Posted by TRIARII (Post 486176)
Im not really sure but the first thing to do is check all your exterior lightning bulbs and replace any that are worn, next inspect all your fuses, look for the fuses that control your front and rear lights and replace if needed, next consider replacing your brake light switch which is cheap and located directly underneath your brake pedal. It is an easy repair and takes maybe 5 minutes. Remove the lower kick plate above the brake and gas pedals, use needle noise pliers to remove the clip holding the brake light switch in place and replace. If you do all that and still have the issue than it may be electrical in which Id recommend you have an experienced mechanic diagnose. Hope the best to you.


Thanks TRIARII - I had no idea that there was a brake light switch located under the brake pedal. I'll try all of the above - thanks again!

KernowDiscovery 10-15-2014 09:34 PM


Originally Posted by ArmyRover (Post 486179)
From working check points overseas we preferred the driver to stay seated and belted in with both hands at 10 and 2 on the wheel. That way we can see what they are doing with their hands not armed and are not likely to attack us. Difficult from in the car with a seat belt on. When you get out you now have options to fight pull a knife or gun etc. It makes you nervous not knowing their intentions. So in the future wait for the officer to get to the window and mouth out windows broken may I open the door and keep your hands in view. Everyone will be happier and calm.

Oh and check connections something is loose and shorting out


Yeah, and then I'll end up like the couple in the video that hit the telly in the past week or so. The one of the couple at the gas station and the woman was yelling thru the glass - 'I'm afraid! I'm afraid!' ;) Just to reiterate - I stayed in the vehicle and opened the door a crack. I was belted in.. guess I need to work on the window and the connections if I want to prevent issues like this in the future. We live in a fairly small town - people are fairly trusting here. I was just surprised by the inquisition. Like I said - it has been a while since I've been pulled over. I'm a 'good girl'.:rolleyes::)

KernowDiscovery 10-15-2014 09:45 PM


Originally Posted by Racer X (Post 486175)
1) Clean the bulb contacts in your taillight thoroughly, and follow up with some bulb grease. On the headlights, same deal, however depending on how bad the contacts are, those might require replacement.

2) Not a cop, but that's exactly what they're trying to do; trip you up on something trivial to pursue a further investigation. It could be idle chit chat to break the tension, but sadly I've been on the harassment side of things enough times that I treat all police interaction with suspicion.

I'm never ever belligerent to a LEO, but I don't volunteer information that has absolutely nothing to do with the "reason" I'm being stopped, nor do I forfeit my rights unnecessarily.

Yeah, I agree Racer X. He asked me where our shop was located twice. And I thought it was strange that he asked me where Sam's Club was located. I dunno - it just seemed 'odd'. lol.. when I commented to my husband afterward 'do people really fall for the question 'are you concealing anything you shouldn't be?'' he replied 'ahh.. well it does smell a bit like your basil in here..'

lol.. as if basil would make someone think I'm doing something untoward! It was pretty funny as my husband said it in his thick British accent - phlegmatically with the pronunciation of 'Baaaaazil'. Cracked me up. Thanks for the tips - I wonder if I have water in the connection. That happened a couple of years ago and I changed the bulb out. I'll look into it again.

Rover_Hokie 10-15-2014 10:08 PM

In Virginia it is faulty equipment if you cannot roll your window down, it is a requirement to pace state inspection, so you might want to get that fixed as well. :)

KernowDiscovery 10-15-2014 10:18 PM


Originally Posted by Rover_Hokie (Post 486188)
In Virginia it is faulty equipment if you cannot roll your window down, it is a requirement to pace state inspection, so you might want to get that fixed as well. :)



hahaha.. I'm reminded daily how Bertha wouldn't pass 'MOT' inspection in the UK too Hokie. I know.. I know.. I got off lucky tonight. :o:) I'm trying to get my act together...

ArmyRover 10-15-2014 10:44 PM

Trust me our situations overseas were definitely a bit more "charged" then your encounter. Just giving you my perspective, and I read into it to much as I thought you got out as well.

Either way all's well that ends well.

Now fix your bloody disco :D

jhk07 10-16-2014 07:21 AM

flex your rights........(google it )

None of that crap he asked was any of his business. He was FISHING






The Problem with your disco sounds ODD.....

Externet 10-16-2014 10:16 AM

Me too...
 
----> https://landroverforums.com/forum/di...-hiccup-67926/

Without the colorful storytelling; still a mistery.

RoverMasterTech 10-16-2014 10:48 AM

Don't EVER talk to cops. Don't answer any questions. Don't strike up a conversation. Hand him your stuff when he walks up to the window and stare at him. He wants nothing less than to put you in jail for the rest of your life, tear your car apart looking for drugs and have a dog show in your back seat. They use ANYTHING you say against you, so they bait and fish through the entire stop. Just remember that that cop would put you through hell for an "atta boy" from the captain. Cops are tax collectors and cleanup crew, they do not stop crime, they do not fight crime, they are not your friends.

drowssap 10-16-2014 11:40 AM

Cops are tax collectors and cleanup crew, they do not stop crime, they do not fight crime, they are not your friends.

I bet your D.A.R.E officer aren't you?

KernowDiscovery 10-16-2014 12:11 PM


Originally Posted by RoverMasterTech (Post 486272)
Don't EVER talk to cops. Don't answer any questions. Don't strike up a conversation. Hand him your stuff when he walks up to the window and stare at him. He wants nothing less than to put you in jail for the rest of your life, tear your car apart looking for drugs and have a dog show in your back seat. They use ANYTHING you say against you, so they bait and fish through the entire stop. Just remember that that cop would put you through hell for an "atta boy" from the captain. Cops are tax collectors and cleanup crew, they do not stop crime, they do not fight crime, they are not your friends.

So what you're telling me is that I shouldn't have spoken to him or showered him with my gift of gab? I guess I can't help it, it's in my nature to be sociable...I don't have anything to hide so I guess I was just 'going with it'. If there ever is a next time, I guess I'll know better...

cappedup 10-16-2014 01:30 PM


Originally Posted by RoverMasterTech (Post 486272)
Don't EVER talk to cops. Don't answer any questions. Don't strike up a conversation. Hand him your stuff when he walks up to the window and stare at him. He wants nothing less than to put you in jail for the rest of your life, tear your car apart looking for drugs and have a dog show in your back seat. They use ANYTHING you say against you, so they bait and fish through the entire stop. Just remember that that cop would put you through hell for an "atta boy" from the captain. Cops are tax collectors and cleanup crew, they do not stop crime, they do not fight crime, they are not your friends.

Yet, she did all of the things you suggest NOT to, and DiDNT get a ticket for at least two definite violations. Window and light.

So maybe, just maybe, all cops are not the same. Otherwise she would be in jail with dogs having a show (?) on the back seat.

Seems some of us have had a bad experience with cops and others havn't. Which leads to a cemented polar view of the whole worlds police people.

Bit daft isn't it?

RoverMasterTech 10-16-2014 02:03 PM


Originally Posted by cappedup (Post 486298)
Yet, she did all of the things you suggest NOT to, and DiDNT get a ticket for at least two definite violations. Window and light.

So maybe, just maybe, all cops are not the same. Otherwise she would be in jail with dogs having a show (?) on the back seat.

Seems some of us have had a bad experience with cops and others havn't. Which leads to a cemented polar view of the whole worlds police people.

Bit daft isn't it?


No not daft. I live in NJ, THE police state of the police state. I have been through NIGHTMARES with the police. From them ripping panels off the inside of my car looking for drugs, (the car was an audi coupe and had 10 year old cigarette butts in the ash trays in the back, they ripped the ashtrays out of both sides, breaking the panels and dumped them out on my seats) to impounding my truck for a weekend because I parked it on the side of the road with 2 blown out tires for a half hour and walked to 7/11 with my buddy. They arrested me for having an unpaid parking ticket that I got for parking outside my house. (your not allowed to park in the street overnight in a lot of towns in NJ, they need the extra ticket money to pay more cops to write more parking tickets.), wouldn't stop on the way to the station for me to get money out of the ATM to pay the $25 ticket. Started interrogating me, asking me why I was in NYC (rangers game), Calling me a liar, telling me they know I was picking up drugs. Telling me they are going to impound the car, and search it top to bottom and that I would be responsible for the towing fees and storage fees, and they would make sure they found something. I had to plead with them to let my brother come pay the 25 bucks, so I could get out. Then my brother shows up and they give him a hard time, run his license, check his car paperwork, make him wait 45 mins.
Then I get back to the car with my brother, which is in the train station parking lot, AND THEY TORE THE CAR TO SHREDS AT 2 A.M. IN THE PITCH BLACK. Everything was everywhere, glove box emptied on the floor, any part of the car easily removed was removed. I could tell you like 4 more stories, but I'm having PTSD attacks remembering all this. Oh, and I was NEVER charged with ANYTHING any of those times.

Racer X 10-16-2014 02:23 PM


Originally Posted by cappedup (Post 486298)
Bit daft isn't it?

Daft?

I could write pages of some of the screwed up **** the police have done to me over the years. Unlawful search and seizure, drugs planted, threats of false charges, lying in court...

It's in your best interest to never trust the police. This isn't Mayberry, those days are over.

The only thing 'daft' is thinking otherwise in this day and age.

cappedup 10-16-2014 04:31 PM


Originally Posted by Racer X
The only thing 'daft' is thinking otherwise in this day and age.

The daft bit is tarring every single policeman with the same brush.

Otherwise, how come the OP didn't have the car taken to pieces? Detained for hours? Treated really badly? That didn't happen. Thus, not all policemen are the same.

It's this kind of over reaction that blah blah blah.

KernowDiscovery 10-16-2014 09:04 PM

If I knew that I was going to open such a can of worms I wouldn't have posted this in the first place. I think a lot of it has to do with control and what part of the States you live in. Some cops are nice, some are abusive, some know what they are talking about, some are patient, some actually talk to you as a person, some pretend to talk to you, some have a sense of humor, some would rather growl.. In this instance I didn't feel the need to justify my actions because I had done nothing wrong. I answered as honestly as I could and to the best of my ability. Like I said, it has been a long time since I've been pulled over. No one is trash or deserves to be treated as such. It's unfortunate that some of you have had to endure what you've been through. No one should have to justify their self worth or be in a position where it is exploited as such. Thanks again for the tips on fixing Bertha.

Dave03S 10-16-2014 10:14 PM

Breaking news:

How Desert Snow Trained America's Cops - Business Insider

Just another reason to keep your Rover sorted.

If whacking it helps then an inspection should reveal the issue. take the lights apart and look. you will find something. corrosion, bad grounds, ugly splices...

Steve517 10-17-2014 11:10 AM

I had a similar problem. Tail lights and break lights went out one afternoon last week. Turned out to be blown fuse and an easy fix and another reminder to look for the simplest answer first.

I've also had a similar experience with a cop or two, but my early career in the news business taught me to ignore their occupational paranoia.

Nice to see another Traverse Citian on the forum.

drowssap 10-17-2014 11:43 AM

KernowDiscovery

Dont worry about it you could have simply said it was Thursday, and have half the people tell you you were wrong. life on a forum

Street Wolf 10-17-2014 12:03 PM


Originally Posted by RoverMasterTech (Post 486272)
Don't EVER talk to cops. Don't answer any questions. Don't strike up a conversation. Hand him your stuff when he walks up to the window and stare at him. He wants nothing less than to put you in jail for the rest of your life, tear your car apart looking for drugs and have a dog show in your back seat. They use ANYTHING you say against you, so they bait and fish through the entire stop. Just remember that that cop would put you through hell for an "atta boy" from the captain. Cops are tax collectors and cleanup crew, they do not stop crime, they do not fight crime, they are not your friends.


Lmao. What an idiot.

pinkytoe69 10-17-2014 12:48 PM


Originally Posted by Street Wolf (Post 486456)
Lmao. What an idiot.

If you think police do not unnecessarily harass and intimidate people (especially non-upper-class young males) for seemingly no other reason besides the fact that they can, then you are the idiot.

claudio413 10-17-2014 03:06 PM

Cops are hired to serve and protect the public.


Unfortunately they're only trained to serve and protect other cops.


So if you're laughing your ass off at idiots, you're doing it on my dime, now swallow that doughnut, knock back that coffee, and get back to work risking your life in situations that nobody else will respond to. It's what we pay you to do.


You're welcome.

cybercop 10-17-2014 04:46 PM

Guess I need to keep my mouth shut!

KernowDiscovery 10-20-2014 10:15 PM


Originally Posted by Steve517 (Post 486449)
I had a similar problem. Tail lights and break lights went out one afternoon last week. Turned out to be blown fuse and an easy fix and another reminder to look for the simplest answer first.

I've also had a similar experience with a cop or two, but my early career in the news business taught me to ignore their occupational paranoia.

Nice to see another Traverse Citian on the forum.

Hey Steve - long time no chat... I think the last time we spoke it was winter and we were commenting on having to rely on the Rover to get us over the snow humps littering town. It always amazes me that for TC being such a 'small town' forum members don't bump into each other more often. It's not like there are THAT many Discoveries in the area.
Although I do see quite a few high school students driving them :rolleyes:

Do I recall reading something about you doing a front bumper repair on your Disco? (damage caused by a young girl?). I banged mine up last year and haven't had it fixed yet. Did you use bondo?

Christina

Steve517 10-21-2014 08:53 AM


Do I recall reading something about you doing a front bumper repair on your Disco? (damage caused by a young girl?). I banged mine up last year and haven't had it fixed yet. Did you use bondo?
No progress on that little problem. I'm planning to try some plastic welding for a cosmetic fix, but life keeps getting in the way. Fortunately, it's not a big issue yet. I'll let you know how it works out.


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