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So I just purchased a 1996 Convertible.
It Starts and Runs and drives well but NONE of the rear lights are working. Grounds are clean.
I have purchased a factory service manual but it won’t arrive for a week so I was hoping someone may have seen a similar issue before and have some insight…
The front lights work fine.
None of the rear lights work, not the running lights, signals, hazards, or brake lights or the 3rd (middle) light. What’s most interesting is that when the brake pedal is depressed it sometimes activates some of the interior lights like the door courtesy lights or the tiny light on the rear view mirror. Any ideas where I could begin hunting this short?
It is probably not a "short" but a combination of open and resistive circuits.
Convertibles have a connector in the RR of the cargo area, at floor level, inside the car, under the carpet. Right in the corner. It tends to rot away from water collection from top leaks. The rear lights are in this 6 or 8 cavity connector, and if this is the problem, it will be obvious. Lots of green corrosion and probably some broken wires.
Last edited by IHBD; Dec 9, 2024 at 12:05 AM.
Reason: 96 is different
'96 'vert should have this configuration for rear body etc. Rear body & lamps are in C425, C426, & C427 in this image. If you're wanting an FSM sooner I can deliver one same day we exchange informattion etc. Did you buy a 2 volume paper or a CD/DVD? '96 FSM is a different configuration than '95 and earlier, similar but different, Use the links in the left column and drop me a PM or email if this interests you.
Thank you so much for giving me a place to look 🙏.
ill check that out first thing in the morning. I was slowly digging into things under the dash but I’m afraid to pull apart too many brittle plastic connectors without the guidance of the FSM.
Thank you so much for giving me a place to look 🙏.
ill check that out first thing in the morning. I was slowly digging into things under the dash but I’m afraid to pull apart too many brittle plastic connectors without the guidance of the FSM.
Since you have 'none' you might want to check first that G401 - that's the ground for all rear lamps. You could have a complete FSM in the AM if you PM'd me tonight or before 8AM EST.
Looking at the schematic above, it looks like the connector for rear lighting is different than I remember for earlier convertibles. Sorry.
What’s most interesting is that when the brake pedal is depressed it sometimes activates some of the interior lights like the door courtesy lights or the tiny light on the rear view mirror.
This is a classic "bad ground". The brake lights are grounding through the tail light circuit.( The "tiny light on the rear view mirror" comes on with the dash/tail lights.) See the "G401" on the schematic? Check that for corrosion or loose. G401 grounds the rear of the car.
Since you have 'none' you might want to check first that G401 - that's the ground for all rear lamps. You could have a complete FSM in the AM if you PM'd me tonight or before 8AM EST.
I have free account here so I can’t send a PM I guess? Feel free to email me
when checking your ground wires, do not trust "it looks good". Remove the screw (or bolt) holding the ground wire to the frame and hit the terminal and frame spot with emery cloth, wire brush or sandpaper. Good looks does not conduct current
when checking your ground wires, do not trust "it looks good". Remove the screw (or bolt) holding the ground wire to the frame and hit the terminal and frame spot with emery cloth, wire brush or sandpaper. Good looks does not conduct current
Yea when I meant they’re good I meant I’d already cleaned with contact cleaner and brass wire brush. But I was unaware of that one inside the cabin. Fingers crossed that’s the culprit.
You guys were all correct!
it was that ground. Someone had been in there before for some reason and had tossed a sheet metal screw next to where the original ground went without even bothering to clean the paint off of the body. Cleaned everything and Ran a big bolt in and boom. Everything works now.
No brake Lights C4 Gremlin
