got a tail light problem

[PaleBlue90]

ok so i bumped the switch for the tail lights, plugged it bak in to discover i have a burned out bulb, ok no problem right? wrong, i got the new bulb in and now the tail light break light wont light up. its the drivers side tail light and it has me stumped, any thoughts the other side lights up just fine.

 

[Mutant Pony]

The two things that are most likely the problem are one: the socket itself is corroded, it needs to be cleaned and lubed with dielectric grease. 2: look under the truck, left frame rail near the back bumper, It is possible that someone hacked the wiring to connect trailer lights. Anytime I have a taillight issue that is the first place I look. If you see a big ball of wiring and black tape, You've found the problem! It is also possible that someone probed a wire at sometime and now it is corroded in two.

 

[PaleBlue90]

thanx ill check that stuff here in a few mins. mine friend said the same and it could also be a bad plug

 

[PaleBlue90]

i fixed it, the ground was nasty lol thanx Mutant Pony

 

[Mutant Pony]

No prob! Dirty grounds! they'll get ya every time.

 

[PaleBlue90]

yea i moved it to behind the light itself,it was all rusty and uncleanable

 

[PaleBlue90]

so i left my friends and the same light worked, i got home and backed into the drive way and its out AGAIN! i checkend the ground, its fine, i checked the light its fine, then i checked fuses all are good WTF is it?! lol maybe a tail light plug?

 

[PaleBlue90]

im gonna try and move/clean the ground some more if that dont work ill probley replace the plug, any1 kno how much they are?

 

[snake]

Real cheap at a boneyard.

You may want to invest in a 12 volt test light- these are invaluable for finding where you have power and where you don't. It helps trace down problems like this. Simply clip to a known good ground and prod the pads and if it lights up you have bad ground again. You can get a test light for about $10 but buy a good one- you'll be using it the rest of your life!

 

[PaleBlue90]

thanx snake, i went to get it to go to school the morning and it was working, it seems to want to work sometimes so idk ill get that light l8r today