1971 chevy,no tail lights and the back two side markers lights don't work either - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

jtchevy355 · 07-19-2006, 10:17 AM

hello i have a 1971 chevy pickup,when i turn on my lights i have no tail lights, and the back two side marker lights don't work either,the license plate light works,my flashers all work except for the back two side marker light,and when i turn on the lights the tail lights and the back two side marker lights don't work either, i am lost i tried to find a ground somewhere but didn't find one,please help,thanks for your time

Longhorn Man · 07-19-2006, 03:16 PM

The license plate runsoff the same wire as the taillights and the side markers, so we know power is getting back there. You say the flashers work in back (the side markers aren't supposed to flash), are they bright, or kinda dim?

If they are dim, try adding a ground strap from the bed to the frame.
If they are bright, look under the bed by the bumper, and see if it's been hacked up for a trailer plug. If so, look for the brown wire, it is for the tail lights. Your location is USA, so I have no clue if you are in a salt state. If you are, it is VERY common to have wires corrode into 2 pieces. Look for that, or a wire that mave popped out of a crimp on connector.

farmtruckIII · 07-19-2006, 04:03 PM

Also as dumb as it may sound check the grounds on the front lights as well, has the same problem on my 71 GMC fixed the front ground and all was good. Do the lights in the cluster work? If un-altered they all shared a common fuse.

Longhorn Man · 07-19-2006, 04:21 PM

This is true, if the front parking lamps, dash lights, brake lights and domelight are all out too, then look for a blown fuse.

cdowns · 07-19-2006, 06:04 PM

it's always nice to get a complete set of new bulbs and to clean up the sockets and contacts

LUV2XCLR8 · 07-19-2006, 06:07 PM

Been there, done that, like others have said, could be just a simple fix

and BTW

From West TN

07-19-2006, 10:17 AM	#1
jtchevy355 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: usa Posts: 1	1971 chevy,no tail lights and the back two side markers lights don't work either hello i have a 1971 chevy pickup,when i turn on my lights i have no tail lights, and the back two side marker lights don't work either,the license plate light works,my flashers all work except for the back two side marker light,and when i turn on the lights the tail lights and the back two side marker lights don't work either, i am lost i tried to find a ground somewhere but didn't find one,please help,thanks for your time

07-19-2006, 03:16 PM	#2
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,690	Re: 1971 chevy,no tail lights and the back two side markers lights don't work either The license plate runsoff the same wire as the taillights and the side markers, so we know power is getting back there. You say the flashers work in back (the side markers aren't supposed to flash), are they bright, or kinda dim? If they are dim, try adding a ground strap from the bed to the frame. If they are bright, look under the bed by the bumper, and see if it's been hacked up for a trailer plug. If so, look for the brown wire, it is for the tail lights. Your location is USA, so I have no clue if you are in a salt state. If you are, it is VERY common to have wires corrode into 2 pieces. Look for that, or a wire that mave popped out of a crimp on connector.

07-19-2006, 04:03 PM	#3
farmtruckIII 71 GMC 454/TH400 Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Blue Mound TX Posts: 214	Re: 1971 chevy,no tail lights and the back two side markers lights don't work either Also as dumb as it may sound check the grounds on the front lights as well, has the same problem on my 71 GMC fixed the front ground and all was good. Do the lights in the cluster work? If un-altered they all shared a common fuse. __________________ "The bigger you are the harder you fall, the farther you walk the longer you crawl."

07-19-2006, 04:21 PM	#4
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,690	Re: 1971 chevy,no tail lights and the back two side markers lights don't work either This is true, if the front parking lamps, dash lights, brake lights and domelight are all out too, then look for a blown fuse. Last edited by Longhorn Man; 07-19-2006 at 04:21 PM.

07-19-2006, 06:04 PM	#5
cdowns Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: daytonabeach Posts: 22,956	Re: 1971 chevy,no tail lights and the back two side markers lights don't work either it's always nice to get a complete set of new bulbs and to clean up the sockets and contacts __________________ 71c-10 350/2004r/4:11 lowered3/4 longbed/dead by hurricane MEANING OF DEATH::::: SOMEBODY ELSE GETS YOUR STUFF DONT BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU THINK TAKE MY ADVISE;I DON'T USE IT ANYWAY

07-19-2006, 06:07 PM	#6
LUV2XCLR8 The LuvShack Garage Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Maple Grove, TN (West Side) Posts: 30,468	Re: 1971 chevy,no tail lights and the back two side markers lights don't work either Been there, done that, like others have said, could be just a simple fix and BTW From West TN __________________ Owner/Op: "TN Classic Transport Carriers" The Toy: "Square Vette" 72 Hybrid Blazer Toy Barn: "LuvShack" 40 x 60 x 20 Shop Tow Piggy:"Maddy" 88 Silverado 3500 Hauler: "Feathers" 14 Aluma 8218T Last edited by LUV2XCLR8; 07-19-2006 at 06:08 PM.

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