no running lights in back
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Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 93
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From: Charlotte NC
no running lights in back
Earlier this month I asked for help on a dim driver's side brake light. Turns out nothing was wrong with the brake lights or brake switch. My running lights on the back bumper do not illuminate at all now (one was working, at the time of my earlier post). In the process of testing, cleaning contacts and checking fuses, I have lost both rear running lights.
I read Jagesverg's post and the responses. Lots of good advice on things to check. I eliminated all those possibilities (checked out ok) and am left with the lights switch as the remaining suspect. But first, I wanted to go down my list of conditions in case someone got an idea.
1. Running lights ok, except rear (shared with brake lens).
2. Brake lights dim but working.
3. Turn signals ok but dim in back.
4. Hazard lights ok but dim in back.
I cannot drive my '81 at night until I get to the bottom of this problem. I don't enjoy paying traffic fines for no running lights in the rear.
I read Jagesverg's post and the responses. Lots of good advice on things to check. I eliminated all those possibilities (checked out ok) and am left with the lights switch as the remaining suspect. But first, I wanted to go down my list of conditions in case someone got an idea.
1. Running lights ok, except rear (shared with brake lens).
2. Brake lights dim but working.
3. Turn signals ok but dim in back.
4. Hazard lights ok but dim in back.
I cannot drive my '81 at night until I get to the bottom of this problem. I don't enjoy paying traffic fines for no running lights in the rear.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 14,112
Likes: 28
From: Florida
If everything is dim in back, you have a ground problem.
Ground is on rear drivers side frame corner above muffler. Redo the connection.
That should get at least all but the tail lites bright.
Try jumping the tail lite wire (brown) from a battery and see if the run lites work. If they do, then test the lite switch or connector there.
Ground is on rear drivers side frame corner above muffler. Redo the connection.
That should get at least all but the tail lites bright.
Try jumping the tail lite wire (brown) from a battery and see if the run lites work. If they do, then test the lite switch or connector there.
Last edited by noonie; Jul 27, 2007 at 05:31 PM.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 93
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From: Charlotte NC
RE: no running lights in back
Thanks for the feedback, testing suggestion, and diagram. I had already cleaned up the ground connection near the driver's side muffler before doing the following tests.
Using a voltmeter, I tested the battery, tail lamps fuse, directional signal fuse, stop & hazard fuse, and tail light receptacle (for both brake lights and running lights). I got a reading of 12v for everything but the running lights at the lamp receptacles (both sides). Running a lead from the negative battery post to the negative probe of the voltmeter and putting the positive probe on the running lights receptacle band, I got a reading of 12v on both sides.
My headlights switch is the next candidate for testing. This situation looks similar to Jagesverg's problem in another post. I'm not looking forward to accessing the headlight switch, but I'm supposed to be having fun working on my Corvette.
Using a voltmeter, I tested the battery, tail lamps fuse, directional signal fuse, stop & hazard fuse, and tail light receptacle (for both brake lights and running lights). I got a reading of 12v for everything but the running lights at the lamp receptacles (both sides). Running a lead from the negative battery post to the negative probe of the voltmeter and putting the positive probe on the running lights receptacle band, I got a reading of 12v on both sides.
My headlights switch is the next candidate for testing. This situation looks similar to Jagesverg's problem in another post. I'm not looking forward to accessing the headlight switch, but I'm supposed to be having fun working on my Corvette.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 14,112
Likes: 28
From: Florida
Easy way to test or tail lites before accessing lite switch.
Remove your drivers side interior kick panel.
You will see a wiring harness running under the aluminum sill plate to the rear.
Follow it up the other way to under the drivers side dash.
Undo the connector for that rear harness.
Connect a small jumper wire directly from the +battery terminal to the brown wire in that harness.
Your rear tail, lisence, and side marker lites should lite up to the normal brightness, if not probably your switch.
Remove your drivers side interior kick panel.
You will see a wiring harness running under the aluminum sill plate to the rear.
Follow it up the other way to under the drivers side dash.
Undo the connector for that rear harness.
Connect a small jumper wire directly from the +battery terminal to the brown wire in that harness.
Your rear tail, lisence, and side marker lites should lite up to the normal brightness, if not probably your switch.
