Running lights prob.

[fordracing60]

Been looking around here for info on non working tail,brake and turn signals. Have not found a fix for my problem. My running lights are barely working, No brake lights and very dim turn. All fuses,bulbs and grounds check out good. I changed out light switch of new. No better. Any ideas? Gotta dodge the cops again in the morning Yes i removed the trailer wiring.

 

[Lil-Pony]

Year, engine, cab?

I believe it has to be a ground. Or a wire shorting out.

 

[fordracing60]

994 std cab i checked and even added a ground to the rear (where the prob is) After tinkering some more i learned my 3rd brake light and plate lights blink with turn signal.

I'm thinking ground to but have cleaned up all i could find.

 

[Scrambler82]

Checking a ground with a multimeter or a 12 volt probe is ok but not for a good connection. As long as there is a minimum connect point then the ground will read ok. You will need to trace out all the ground wires, stating at the tail lights.

AS Lil-Pony stated, sounds like a grounding issue.
At the rear there is a common ground but the exact location is unknown to me, find it clean it up, trace all of the wiring and replace as needed.

Another thing would be to run new ground wires for each component, get to bare metal on the frame for the connection and use external tooth star lock washers for extra bite.

Once you have got the new grounding in place see how things look, if still screwed up then you need to check all the power wires for the lights that are screwed up, may be a shorted wire.


I had a Stang with Fog Lights once.
The Fogs didn’t work but I really didn’t need them.
Out of the blue my brake lights started staying on, wtf.
All of the wiring was good, all the connections were good, could not find the problem.

Finally took it to an Auto-Electrican… man this guy is good.
He found a short in the Fog Light Switch that some how mad the brake light stay on… how does that happen ???

Anyway he took out the switch and wham bam no more brake light problem.
Funny how all of the lighting systems interconnect and can cause problems within other systems.

As I said start with the easy stuff, the ground wires for all of the rear lighting, then move to power wires.

Good Luck because you will need it chasing a ground or shorted wire.

 

[fordracing60]

thanks guys

I replaced the light switch no help
Re-done the grounds in back again no help

Still very dim running lights

Noticed turns work fine til i pull the light switch then the brake or running lights blink

 

[adsm08]

Check the connectors along the harness. One of them may have gotten water in it, and if all the pins are corroded up it will dim the lights.

You might also have power supply issues. Check available voltages.

 

[Scrambler82]

thanks guys
I replaced the light switch no help
Re-done the grounds in back again no help
Still very dim running lights
Noticed turns work fine til i pull the light switch then the brake or running lights blink

Have you looked at the Multi-Function Switch ?

 

[Lil-Pony]

It could be the multi, since the front lamps ar seperate from the rear, it could also be a short between two wires.

 

[fordracing60]

OK Iran a wire from neg battery post to ground in back no change

I'm going to JY now for a Multi at 150 new i want to know its the prob

I so dislike auto electric probs

 

[Lil-Pony]

I know you have re done the ground twice, but have you checked each bulb socket to see if one of the wires has ground continuity?

 

[fordracing60]

today i replaced the multi no change

I checked the plug its good un plugged front turns worked fine plugged it in and front blinker went slow again and back lights and 3rd brake flashed with blinker back turn didnt flash turn off markers and both front and back turns work fine

Hard wired the rear connector so that was not the prob

If i did not love my lil ranger right about now i would be burning it ...lol

 

[Lil-Pony]

Man im at a loss of what to do next, have you check the ground resistance at each individual bulb?

 

[fordracing60]

I'm not to good with the meter so will be taking the truck to my brothers. He's good with electronics.
Will let ya ya know what we find.

Again TY Guys for your input. May not have solved the issue but narrowed things down!

 

[fordracing60]

Well nothing was making sense meter readings, so we took the whole harness out and found a broken power wire in left rear between the fuseable link and marker light.
So figuring almost 20yr old wires. We made our own harness and down the road with a big smile i went. I still dislike elec issues!! But learned alot.

Thanks Again Guys!!! Hope this helps others.

 

[Lil-Pony]

Thats great to hear.