tail light problem - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

old_truck1969 · 08-26-2002, 10:34 PM

I had the 4 way flashers going on my '86 today. When i got around to the back of the truck, i realized that the drivers side tailight was out. No problem, i figured, easy fix. I took the old bulb out and put the new one in. When it came time to test, it didn't work. No brake light, signal light, or running lights worked on the driver side. When i put the signal on in the truck, the turn signal still flashed inside the truck. The front signal light on the driver side still flashed. I thought that if a bulb was burnt out anywhere, the signal would remain solid in the cab. Anyone have any ideas?

*Zkast* · 08-27-2002, 07:49 PM

Check the ground wire for that socket. Start by testing inside the socket and work your way to the actual ground on the frame. Tug on the wires also, its common to have a broken/corroded wire inside the insulation and never see it.
If the bulb is good and the ground is bad, the other bulb will flash semi normaly because its pulling resistance from the parking light circuit. (inside the bulb)

**crossy** · 08-27-2002, 11:16 PM

usually related to some cheezy wiring tap ins underneath where some one years ago tapped into the wires for a trailer wiring plug. do a good continuity or 'Pull ' test. DAVE

old_truck1969 · 08-31-2002, 12:53 PM

thanks crossy, it was the hack job of a trailer harness that was underneath the truck

08-26-2002, 10:34 PM	#1
old_truck1969 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada Posts: 202	tail light problem I had the 4 way flashers going on my '86 today. When i got around to the back of the truck, i realized that the drivers side tailight was out. No problem, i figured, easy fix. I took the old bulb out and put the new one in. When it came time to test, it didn't work. No brake light, signal light, or running lights worked on the driver side. When i put the signal on in the truck, the turn signal still flashed inside the truck. The front signal light on the driver side still flashed. I thought that if a bulb was burnt out anywhere, the signal would remain solid in the cab. Anyone have any ideas? __________________ "All Corvettes are red. The rest are mistakes." - John Heinricy

08-27-2002, 11:16 PM	#3
crossy Oh,you can't buy that new Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Pennsville,N.J. 08070, USA Posts: 2,039	tailight usually related to some cheezy wiring tap ins underneath where some one years ago tapped into the wires for a trailer wiring plug. do a good continuity or 'Pull ' test. DAVE __________________ "been there, done that, ruined the T-shirt". 2007 LBZ GMC Sierra, ECSB 2006 LM7 RCSB Silverado 98 Vortec project. 94,3500,6.5L 4L80 81 SWB GMC POS finally gone 73 Pinto, stock, w/CragarSS's-eww LOTS of Cummins trucks.

08-31-2002, 12:53 PM	#4
old_truck1969 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada Posts: 202	thanks crossy, it was the hack job of a trailer harness that was underneath the truck __________________ "All Corvettes are red. The rest are mistakes." - John Heinricy

08-27-2002, 07:49 PM	#2
Zkast Account Suspended Join Date: May 2002 Location: Olathe, Kansas Posts: 929	Check the ground wire for that socket. Start by testing inside the socket and work your way to the actual ground on the frame. Tug on the wires also, its common to have a broken/corroded wire inside the insulation and never see it. If the bulb is good and the ground is bad, the other bulb will flash semi normaly because its pulling resistance from the parking light circuit. (inside the bulb)



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