Reasons why they arent working? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

jrsmith_2010 · 03-12-2009, 06:00 PM

hey guys, i was in the process of putting my caddy lights in for the last time, but went to check the lights one last time before putting them in, and when my headlights are on, the tail lights arent at ALL, no power at all going to either side. id like to get at least one in tonight, can some one help me out with ideas why they arnt working?

ont_guy_38 · 03-12-2009, 06:19 PM

Maybe fooling around you blew the fuse , check to see if your dash lights are working if not there ya go otherwise double check all your connections

jrsmith_2010 · 03-12-2009, 06:23 PM

yea my dash lights are not working, so it must be a fuse?

ont_guy_38 · 03-12-2009, 06:49 PM

more then likely thats what it is,if you put a new one in and it blows again then you more then likely have a wire pinched or something somewhere

jrsmith_2010 · 03-12-2009, 07:36 PM

yea i put another bigger fuse in it and there is no power going to it through the fuse box, i have no clue whats wrong with it

Longhorn321 · 03-12-2009, 11:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jrsmith_2010

yea i put another bigger fuse in it and there is no power going to it through the fuse box, i have no clue whats wrong with it

When you say there is no power going to it through the fuse box, how are you checking it? Are you using a meter or a test light? If you in fact have no power on either side of the fuse, I would guess you either have a bad fuse box or you are not using a good ground to ground your test light/meter.

willett · 03-12-2009, 10:56 PM

are the lights properly grounded?

i know when i messed up on the ground for my tail lights all kinds of crazy sh*t started to happen!

dammitmitchell · 03-12-2009, 11:13 PM

remember to sand the grounding station very well..
with your previous postings everything looked pretty much painted over....
sooo if the fuze isnt blowing.. and you have no lights.. i would assume it's a ground.
that truly sucks that you have come sooooo far and no lights work.. totally lame dude.. i feel your pain

jrsmith_2010 · 03-12-2009, 11:21 PM

yea i was thinking the ground to, hopefully thats whats wrong with it, i was so P'Oed when they didnt work

i was about to be half way done with the caddys and this happens. but i will figure it out, thanks for the help guys!

jrsmith_2010 · 03-12-2009, 11:29 PM

i am using a test light and it is grounded to my seat brackets, same spot where my amp is grounded so its good. that fuse (instumnet pnl) was the only one that didnt light up with the key turned

Longhorn321 · 03-12-2009, 11:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jrsmith_2010

i am using a test light and it is grounded to my seat brackets, same spot where my amp is grounded so its good. that fuse (instumnet pnl) was the only one that didnt light up with the key turned

It didn't light up on either side of the fuse? If so, you might need a fuse box(can't say for sure 'cause I don't know that system that well). If it lights on one side and not the other, your fuse is blown...For some this is an obvious statement but I'm not talking down to you, I just don't know your electrical aptitude. Some people have a tough time with electrical stuff.

dammitmitchell · 03-12-2009, 11:42 PM

your taillights should have a short wire ground in the rear housings..
it is always best to check at the "end" of a signal path (voltage path etc) first them work your way forward...
check at the rear lights by putting th +on the hot wire in and the - on a Clean grounding spot.. (u can always spray paint over the scratch dude)

grinch4om · 03-12-2009, 11:56 PM

it will only light at the fuse when the light switch is on...key has nothing to do with it....i'LL BET ITS A GROUND

Longhorn321 · 03-13-2009, 08:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by grinch4om

it will only light at the fuse when the light switch is on...key has nothing to do with it....i'LL BET ITS A GROUND

Good point...make sure you test with the light switch on before you replace the fusebox.

dammitmitchell · 03-13-2009, 09:03 PM

groujds grounds grounds..
=-)
my vote.. and i'll swear by it...

jrsmith_2010 · 03-13-2009, 09:58 PM

well guys i figured it out, finally! i redid the ground again and that wasnt that it. so me and my dad looked under the hood to find this.

the wires crossed and grounded out. so i wiggled them and they work now! thanks for all the help guys!

03-12-2009, 06:00 PM	#1
jrsmith_2010 I like turtles... Join Date: May 2008 Location: Kansas Posts: 993	Reasons why they arent working? hey guys, i was in the process of putting my caddy lights in for the last time, but went to check the lights one last time before putting them in, and when my headlights are on, the tail lights arent at ALL, no power at all going to either side. id like to get at least one in tonight, can some one help me out with ideas why they arnt working? __________________ 1979 Silverado- lowered 5/7, 20 inch Boss rims, everything shaved, caddy lights, billet interior, UP FOR SALE! 1983 Scottsdale-on the back burner...SOLD!!! 1992 Silverado- extended cab, stock for now, but no promises SOLD!!! 2006 Chevy Cobalt-college car, staying stock Whatever can't get fixed with a hammer, a roll of duct tape, a clothes hanger, a tube of glue, and a case of beer, can wait until tomorrow.

03-12-2009, 06:19 PM	#2
ont_guy_38 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Ontario Canada Posts: 1,006	Re: Reasons why they arent working? Maybe fooling around you blew the fuse , check to see if your dash lights are working if not there ya go otherwise double check all your connections

03-12-2009, 06:23 PM	#3
jrsmith_2010 I like turtles... Join Date: May 2008 Location: Kansas Posts: 993	Re: Reasons why they arent working? yea my dash lights are not working, so it must be a fuse? __________________ 1979 Silverado- lowered 5/7, 20 inch Boss rims, everything shaved, caddy lights, billet interior, UP FOR SALE! 1983 Scottsdale-on the back burner...SOLD!!! 1992 Silverado- extended cab, stock for now, but no promises SOLD!!! 2006 Chevy Cobalt-college car, staying stock Whatever can't get fixed with a hammer, a roll of duct tape, a clothes hanger, a tube of glue, and a case of beer, can wait until tomorrow.

03-12-2009, 06:49 PM	#4
ont_guy_38 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Ontario Canada Posts: 1,006	Re: Reasons why they arent working? more then likely thats what it is,if you put a new one in and it blows again then you more then likely have a wire pinched or something somewhere Last edited by ont_guy_38; 03-12-2009 at 06:51 PM.

03-12-2009, 07:36 PM	#5
jrsmith_2010 I like turtles... Join Date: May 2008 Location: Kansas Posts: 993	Re: Reasons why they arent working? yea i put another bigger fuse in it and there is no power going to it through the fuse box, i have no clue whats wrong with it __________________ 1979 Silverado- lowered 5/7, 20 inch Boss rims, everything shaved, caddy lights, billet interior, UP FOR SALE! 1983 Scottsdale-on the back burner...SOLD!!! 1992 Silverado- extended cab, stock for now, but no promises SOLD!!! 2006 Chevy Cobalt-college car, staying stock Whatever can't get fixed with a hammer, a roll of duct tape, a clothes hanger, a tube of glue, and a case of beer, can wait until tomorrow.

03-12-2009, 10:56 PM	#7
willett Another Day, Another Dollar Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: North Vancouver, BC Posts: 1,316	Re: Reasons why they arent working? are the lights properly grounded? i know when i messed up on the ground for my tail lights all kinds of crazy sh*t started to happen! __________________ -78 K20 Cheyenne 454 long box, 4" lift, 35" MT's, '84 cab, '80 box "its hip to be square"

03-12-2009, 11:13 PM	#8
dammitmitchell the pollock Join Date: May 2008 Location: abilene, texas Posts: 4,423	Re: Reasons why they arent working? remember to sand the grounding station very well.. with your previous postings everything looked pretty much painted over.... sooo if the fuze isnt blowing.. and you have no lights.. i would assume it's a ground. that truly sucks that you have come sooooo far and no lights work.. totally lame dude.. i feel your pain __________________ Jack of ALL trades, Master of none.. (but one... procrastination) Army vet 02-08 RIP El Jay! Miss you brother! http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=343538 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=386042

03-12-2009, 11:21 PM	#9
jrsmith_2010 I like turtles... Join Date: May 2008 Location: Kansas Posts: 993	Re: Reasons why they arent working? yea i was thinking the ground to, hopefully thats whats wrong with it, i was so P'Oed when they didnt work i was about to be half way done with the caddys and this happens. but i will figure it out, thanks for the help guys! __________________ 1979 Silverado- lowered 5/7, 20 inch Boss rims, everything shaved, caddy lights, billet interior, UP FOR SALE! 1983 Scottsdale-on the back burner...SOLD!!! 1992 Silverado- extended cab, stock for now, but no promises SOLD!!! 2006 Chevy Cobalt-college car, staying stock Whatever can't get fixed with a hammer, a roll of duct tape, a clothes hanger, a tube of glue, and a case of beer, can wait until tomorrow. Last edited by jrsmith_2010; 03-12-2009 at 11:22 PM.

03-12-2009, 11:29 PM	#10
jrsmith_2010 I like turtles... Join Date: May 2008 Location: Kansas Posts: 993	Re: Reasons why they arent working? i am using a test light and it is grounded to my seat brackets, same spot where my amp is grounded so its good. that fuse (instumnet pnl) was the only one that didnt light up with the key turned __________________ 1979 Silverado- lowered 5/7, 20 inch Boss rims, everything shaved, caddy lights, billet interior, UP FOR SALE! 1983 Scottsdale-on the back burner...SOLD!!! 1992 Silverado- extended cab, stock for now, but no promises SOLD!!! 2006 Chevy Cobalt-college car, staying stock Whatever can't get fixed with a hammer, a roll of duct tape, a clothes hanger, a tube of glue, and a case of beer, can wait until tomorrow.

03-12-2009, 11:42 PM	#12
dammitmitchell the pollock Join Date: May 2008 Location: abilene, texas Posts: 4,423	Re: Reasons why they arent working? your taillights should have a short wire ground in the rear housings.. it is always best to check at the "end" of a signal path (voltage path etc) first them work your way forward... check at the rear lights by putting th +on the hot wire in and the - on a Clean grounding spot.. (u can always spray paint over the scratch dude) __________________ Jack of ALL trades, Master of none.. (but one... procrastination) Army vet 02-08 RIP El Jay! Miss you brother! http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=343538 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=386042

03-12-2009, 11:56 PM	#13
grinch4om dang its hot Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: frankfort kentucky Posts: 1,349	Re: Reasons why they arent working? it will only light at the fuse when the light switch is on...key has nothing to do with it....i'LL BET ITS A GROUND

03-13-2009, 09:03 PM	#15
dammitmitchell the pollock Join Date: May 2008 Location: abilene, texas Posts: 4,423	Re: Reasons why they arent working? groujds grounds grounds.. =-) my vote.. and i'll swear by it... __________________ Jack of ALL trades, Master of none.. (but one... procrastination) Army vet 02-08 RIP El Jay! Miss you brother! http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=343538 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=386042

03-13-2009, 09:58 PM	#16
jrsmith_2010 I like turtles... Join Date: May 2008 Location: Kansas Posts: 993	Re: Reasons why they arent working? well guys i figured it out, finally! i redid the ground again and that wasnt that it. so me and my dad looked under the hood to find this. the wires crossed and grounded out. so i wiggled them and they work now! thanks for all the help guys! __________________ 1979 Silverado- lowered 5/7, 20 inch Boss rims, everything shaved, caddy lights, billet interior, UP FOR SALE! 1983 Scottsdale-on the back burner...SOLD!!! 1992 Silverado- extended cab, stock for now, but no promises SOLD!!! 2006 Chevy Cobalt-college car, staying stock Whatever can't get fixed with a hammer, a roll of duct tape, a clothes hanger, a tube of glue, and a case of beer, can wait until tomorrow.



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