tail lights out
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 134
Likes: 6
From: Buffalo NY
tail lights out
Last night as I was driving home when my indicators stopped flashing. As I went to pull into my driveway flashing lights in my rearview alerted me to a the Police following me into my driveway. I can't call it pulled over because I was in my driveway, but the police officer notified me that my tail lights, indicators and brake lights were all in op. No ticket, just a warning to get the car fixed. This afternoon I changed all the fuses and I recently changed the flasher within the last few months. Still not working. So my question is to the Corvette Forum Gods, any ideas other than some faulty wiring which I really hope is not the case?
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 4,883
Likes: 11
From: North Easton Mass
Last night as I was driving home when my indicators stopped flashing. As I went to pull into my driveway flashing lights in my rearview alerted me to a the Police following me into my driveway. I can't call it pulled over because I was in my driveway, but the police officer notified me that my tail lights, indicators and brake lights were all in op. No ticket, just a warning to get the car fixed. This afternoon I changed all the fuses and I recently changed the flasher within the last few months. Still not working. So my question is to the Corvette Forum Gods, any ideas other than some faulty wiring which I really hope is not the case?
Rick B.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,938
Likes: 173
From: hebron IL
C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
Former Vendor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 76,656
Likes: 1,853
From: Jeffersonville Indiana 812-288-7103
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
Here is a simple schematic. Hope this helps..
It sounds as if you have two problems if the tail lamps and the brake and turn signals. are not working at the same time. The only thing in common with the two issues is the ground rear ground.... and the rear harness connector.
I would check the grounds at the housings first. Then I would go to the wires Brown for the tails, Yellow and green for the brake lamps and test for power. If you have power at the back then chances are the issue is ground...
If you don't have power, work your way forward to the rear harness connector, make sure the leads are not corroded and test there for power. Then go to the turn signal switch and so on.
It sounds as if you have two problems if the tail lamps and the brake and turn signals. are not working at the same time. The only thing in common with the two issues is the ground rear ground.... and the rear harness connector.
I would check the grounds at the housings first. Then I would go to the wires Brown for the tails, Yellow and green for the brake lamps and test for power. If you have power at the back then chances are the issue is ground...
If you don't have power, work your way forward to the rear harness connector, make sure the leads are not corroded and test there for power. Then go to the turn signal switch and so on.
Last edited by Willcox Corvette; Aug 6, 2013 at 11:47 AM.
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Verdad Gallardo
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
Broken power feed wire or bad ground connection at the rear of the car.
P.S. A 'broken' wire does NOT have to be separated. The [internal] wire can be bad, but the insulation still intact.
P.S. A 'broken' wire does NOT have to be separated. The [internal] wire can be bad, but the insulation still intact.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 134
Likes: 6
From: Buffalo NY
I looked for all of these and I wasn't able to find anything. Now the plot thickens. The car now doesn't want to shut off. When it rains, it pours. Thanks for all of the suggestions guys. I'm going to keep looking this afternoon.
Former Vendor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 76,656
Likes: 1,853
From: Jeffersonville Indiana 812-288-7103
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
Go to the plug for the turn signal switch.. Pull it off and check to see if you have any burnt corroded or odd looking wires. But that still doesn't explain the other tail lamps not working if this is the issue. You may have more than one issue.
Everything in the column passes though this connector.... Ignition switch, turn signals, and so on.
Everything in the column passes though this connector.... Ignition switch, turn signals, and so on.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 134
Likes: 6
From: Buffalo NY
I did it and the no corrosion or burning evident. I'm probably going to have to put the car away now because I have to leave at the end of the month for a few months. I have a lot of preparations to do before I leave. When I get back, it will not be the ideal time to drive a Corvette in Buffalo, NY. Thank you very much every much for all of the suggestions and information guys.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 134
Likes: 6
From: Buffalo NY
There is a ground wire that runs from the frame and the exact spot wear the antenne ground attaches to the frame. From there it attaches to the drivers side brake/reverse light. That wire was broken at the light terminal. I wouldn't have known it if I hadn't seen a picture that Alan had posted in another thread. Oddly enough, with this ground broken and the brake pedal pressed, my car wouldn't shut off either. The picture is in this thread. http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-t...ghts-help.html
Last edited by GarthVader; Aug 13, 2013 at 10:23 AM.