Rear License Plate Light Issue

[Senorx]

I'm back at it again after a crazy work and family schedule the past couple of months. I finally took off the roll pan the RO had installed on my K5. I rescued an OEM white bumper from the original owner and installed it on the K5. I still need to make some final adjustments to it, because I think it sits too low right now.

I installed the new license plate frame today and a new license plate light. I disconnected the connector and plugged the new "OEM style" light that bolts to the license plate frame. I switched on the headlamps and nothing. The light should come on, correct? I can't remember if the old light worked as I never paid much attention to the rear at night. My truck did pass inspection last year and the light is needed in Texas to pass. This still doesn't prove that it actually worked as the inspector could have overlooked it.

1) How can I check if the wire is sending actual power to the light?
2) Could it be a fuse? I checked under the dash, but nothing said "license light".

[grillzy]

ground wire/ connection?

[Senorx]

Originally Posted by grillzy

ground wire/ connection?

How do I check it? No idea what I'm doing in the electrical department. It took me months to solve my horn issue electrical issue when I was first getting the K5 inspected last year. LOL.

[Chulisohombre]

You have to check the power coming to the wire with a multimeter. Make sure the pigtail on the light is grounded. One goes to power and one to ground. Could be just a loose connector where it goes through the frame and crossmember.

[Senorx]

Originally Posted by Chulisohombre

You have to check the power coming to the wire with a multimeter. Make sure the pigtail on the light is grounded. One goes to power and one to ground. Could be just a loose connector where it goes through the frame and crossmember.

I have a multimeter, but I have no idea how to use it. Guess this is a good time to learn. Any pointers?

[Chulisohombre]

Set it to dc voltage and trace back the wires checking for power. The dc volts looks like ----- and ac volts like a wave. My license plate light was wired in with the tailights. But I basically had to retire it because the previous owner had cut them all to put in a trailer wiring harness.

[Senorx]

So the fuse to the tail lights should be the same fuse to the license plate lamp?

[michael bustamante]

when you put the park lights on the lic. light should come on as well, make sure you have a good ground on the light bulb socket part

[Chulisohombre]

I believe it's the same circuit. Pretty sure mine was spliced in with the tailights. Definitely check it has a good ground.