Ok, sorry guys. I know there are a ton of threads on this type of issue But after looking around I didn't find an answer. I didn't want to start a new thread about taillights issues, but I really don't know why they're not working.

When I first got this truck the lights in the rear were a mess to say the least. It took me a couple days to figure out what was going on, but I eventually got everything working, brake/turn signals, reverse, tailights and plate lights. There is a wooden bed with no parking lights, so I dont have to worry about those.

A couple months ago the tailights stopped working and I didn't have the time to screw with them seeing how I have a million other projects going on. I've still been driving it during the day until the other day when I was dropping off my kids at school when someone told me that my drivers side brake light wasn't working. I got under there today to check the brake light out first and the filament was blown. Ok, changed that and the bulb lit up but was very weak. I then tested the socket to find it was defective. Ok, changed that and the bulb works great. Still no tailights.

I unplugged the four plug connector at the rear of the truck where it splits to left and right lights and checked for power from the front of the truck. There is 11.55 volts there when the headlight switch is turned on. So that is ok. I've checked the grounds and they are good. Bulbs have been checked and are good. When I check for voltage at the sockets I get 0. So I assume the problem is in those couple feet between the four plug connector and the sockets, right? Does anyone know what's going on here?

 

I've had a fuse blow that caused that. Dash lights didn't work either and I THINK the lighter didn't work. Or maybe the lighter socket was the culprit

 

Oh, I forgot, the fuses all are good also.

 

I am presuming your front runners are working correctly?

 

They are, everything up front works as well.

 

Does your turn signal switch work? Meaning the switch in the column? mine was busted and I was having similar issues with my tail lights. I replaced the switch and everything worked again.

 

Oops, another thing I forgot about. The turn signals work, but the hazards do not. I was thinking that problem might be the flasher. I know there are two, one for the turn signals and one for the hazards.

 

Anyone know how to fix this? Truck is just sitting there laughing at me.

 

[QUOTE=Piston Hond

I unplugged the four plug connector at the rear of the truck where it splits to left and right lights and checked for power from the front of the truck. There is 11.55 volts there when the headlight switch is turned on. So that is ok. I've checked the grounds and they are good. Bulbs have been checked and are good. When I check for voltage at the sockets I get 0. So I assume the problem is in those couple feet between the four plug connector and the sockets, right? Does anyone know what's going on here?[/QUOTE]

 

Sorry if I sound confusing.

This is the four plug connector. One side of the connector goes to all the sockets and the other side of the connector goes to the front of the cab. When I disconnect the connector, turn on the headlight switch and check for power coming from the front of the truck, I have 11.55 volts. So, I have power at that point. I've checked for continuity from the other side of the connector to the sockets and there is no break in continuity. Then if I plug the connectors together, I should get power at the sockets, right? I don't.

 

Is that harness available new from the plug back? You have it narrowed down with in 4'

 

Just off the cuff, do you have a trailer plug/harness that could be grounding out?

 

Plug it in and use your test light and ***** the isulation after the plug.

 

Recently I had to tow my 85 bed down to the media blaster and needed a trailer harness. So, I rigged one up, but I didn't hook into the tailights because they weren't working at the time. Nothing should be grounding out with that.

 

I nicked the insulation and I'm not getting power. It's the connector.