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Having no luck with tail lights....

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Old May 25, 2009 | 12:03 AM
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Default Having no luck with tail lights....

Can't seem to figure this out... hazards work, spoiler light works, but the brake lights don't work and tail lights don't work. Checked and cleaned fuses and also checked for power going to lights. I light up the light when I'm playing with the connector in the back, but nothing comes in the tail lights. I've switched bulbs and checked grounds. What's up with this?.... i've spent two good days trying to figure this out and it's probably something simple... Hoping someone can help, Thanks.
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Old May 25, 2009 | 12:32 AM
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brake light switch,possible?
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Old May 25, 2009 | 12:37 AM
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Might be time to replace tail light sockets...just my 2cents.
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Old May 25, 2009 | 12:47 AM
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How do you check to see if it's the brake switch itself? There is power going to the connection....
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Old May 25, 2009 | 10:06 AM
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If your spoiler light works, your brake switch should be fine. Sockets also won't all go bad at the same time.

The only thing in common to all those lights is going to be the ground.
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Old May 25, 2009 | 01:53 PM
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I'm I missing any grounds?.... There are the two on the left side that you can ground to the post at the bottom of the dash and one on the left side. Could the BCM cause any of this?
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Old May 25, 2009 | 10:27 PM
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Originally Posted by Schlib1
I'm I missing any grounds?.... There are the two on the left side that you can ground to the post at the bottom of the dash and one on the left side. Could the BCM cause any of this?
No, this is basic stuff. No BCM involved. Its been a while since I had this stuff apart, but I recall these lights being grounded at the rear of the car. Maybe someone else can chime in?

If you have an electrical tester, you can test between the hot contacts at the socket and the ground to see if you have any voltage. If not, (which would correlate to the bulbs not working) then test between the hot contacts and then a bare piece of metal on the car. If you get voltage there, then you know you have a cut/disconnect in your ground. If not, then the lights just aren't getting power.
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