Taillights Dont work

[Beef52751]

The tail lights on my 94 quit working today, im not sure when for sure but all my other lights work. The bulbs look good. I can get a test light to light up when someone hits the brakes but i cant get anything on the other pin. any ideas where else to check???
Thanks
Beef

 

[Doom's Day Custom]

the fuse

 

[Chance]

I can get a test light to light up when someone hits the brakes but i cant get anything on the other pin.

Then you got power to the socket so the fuse wouldn't be an issue.

Are you just sticking the test light into the socket? Where are you putting the ground clamp on the test light? Sounds like the ground or lightbulb is bad/loose...

 

[Beef52751]

im sticking the test light into the socket. im using the ground in the plug for for both.

The plug is marked Major, Minor, and Ground. I only have power to one of them using the ground in the plug.

 

[Beef52751]

i lost both tailights BTW not just one side

 

[MrE_Powers]

there is a plug right behind the rear bumper you can check. it is the one you disconnect when you remove the bed.

 

[BigJohn76]

its the fuse

 

[angerranger54]

if you have a towing package check your trailer connection. if your hot wire is grounding out it will blow the tail light fuse.

 

[adsm08]

Have you replaced your headlight switch recently? I replaced my headlight switch a few years ago b/c I thought it had an internal short (whole nother story) but it turned out that the new switch didn't have a pin for the tails and so they weren't working. If you haven't replaced the switch, it may be bad. Also, check the fuse.

 

[moonmullens]

Hey,
Do you have front running lights?
Check the color of the wire that does not have power when the light switch is on... remove the light switch and check for power from the same color wire.
At least then you will know that the switch is good and that somewhere between there is a break. Before checking the switch (removal) check for the same color wire, comming from the rear lights, at the main bulkhead connector on the motor side of the firewall. If you have power there, no need to remove the headlight switch. That could be the place that could break connection.

Always check the wire or connector that is under suspicion, never trust the wire and connector have good contact. I've found a wire that broke from the connector it was attached to, only being held together by the wire's plastic insulation and the strain releaf of the connector. Follow the path of the electric.

Jim

 

[Beef52751]

well i took it to school to get it on a lift to make it easier on myself, after i tore out all of the trailer "wiring" the Idiot before me hacked in i found that the tail light wire had been ripped out of the connector and bypassed the connector using 4 butt connectors. I cut that out and replaced it and they work now, Thanks
Beef