Taillights not working AGAIN
#16
#17
#19
Yeah, just rig something up. I'd like to try and get the stock connector first....just have to find out the part number..or you could send me one if you really do have some extras
#20
#21
After some more investigation I found the connector might not be the problem, or at least not the only one.
I put a jumper from the connector where I was getting the 11.55 (which still seems a little low) to the brown wire where I nicked the insulation. I would think the tailights would light up, but they didn't. Hmmm. I removed the jumper and plugged the connection back together.
I decided to check the bulbs with the meter again. The bulb I was using on the left side tested fine, 1.2 on one contact and 3.2 on the other. When I tested the right side bulb I had 1.2 on one contact and nothing on the other one. I changed the bulb and the tailights still didn't work. When I came around the back of the truck I wiggled the bulb inside the right side socket (the one I just changed) and the lights came on. Now the problem is the right side is lighting up both filaments in the bulb (brake and tailight) and the left side is working normally, with just the tailight filament lit.
When I first got the truck and got the lights working, I noticed the holes in the back of the tailight assembly where melted, so obviously there is, or was, quite a bit of heat going on there. I know the quality of the aftermarket sockets are not good and now I'm thinking of maybe upgrading the harness and sockets to something more modern. Could this be simple?
I put a jumper from the connector where I was getting the 11.55 (which still seems a little low) to the brown wire where I nicked the insulation. I would think the tailights would light up, but they didn't. Hmmm. I removed the jumper and plugged the connection back together.
I decided to check the bulbs with the meter again. The bulb I was using on the left side tested fine, 1.2 on one contact and 3.2 on the other. When I tested the right side bulb I had 1.2 on one contact and nothing on the other one. I changed the bulb and the tailights still didn't work. When I came around the back of the truck I wiggled the bulb inside the right side socket (the one I just changed) and the lights came on. Now the problem is the right side is lighting up both filaments in the bulb (brake and tailight) and the left side is working normally, with just the tailight filament lit.
When I first got the truck and got the lights working, I noticed the holes in the back of the tailight assembly where melted, so obviously there is, or was, quite a bit of heat going on there. I know the quality of the aftermarket sockets are not good and now I'm thinking of maybe upgrading the harness and sockets to something more modern. Could this be simple?
#22
#23
#25
Everything is working properly now. Both contacts on the bottom of the bulb must have been touching the tailight contact in the socket causing both filaments to light up. Weird, because I always make sure I put the bulb in the right way and be carful about it. At least everything is working now, we'll see how long. If some thing happens again I'll probably upgrade the sockets and wiring.
#27
Update time.
I started having issues with the tailights again, more of the same. I left the connector together and cut a few inches from there off, stripped and tested each wire.
Reverse 12.2
Brake 12.2
Tailight 11.3 (not sure why this is different)
I rewired everything from the connector back, then tested all the ends again with the same results.
I decided to ditch the old sockets and bulbs and go with some new LED tail/stop lights, reverse and plate lights from Peterson Manufacturing.
After hooking everything up I tried it out. Brake lights are bright as well as reverse. However, the tail lights and plate lights are dim.
I unhook the new plug connector on the back of the tailights and test: 6.2
I don't understand, why only 6 volts? All the grounds are good, connections are good. What gives?
I started having issues with the tailights again, more of the same. I left the connector together and cut a few inches from there off, stripped and tested each wire.
Reverse 12.2
Brake 12.2
Tailight 11.3 (not sure why this is different)
I rewired everything from the connector back, then tested all the ends again with the same results.
I decided to ditch the old sockets and bulbs and go with some new LED tail/stop lights, reverse and plate lights from Peterson Manufacturing.
After hooking everything up I tried it out. Brake lights are bright as well as reverse. However, the tail lights and plate lights are dim.
I unhook the new plug connector on the back of the tailights and test: 6.2
I don't understand, why only 6 volts? All the grounds are good, connections are good. What gives?
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
xmontex4
2007 - 2014 Expedition & Navigator
0
10-06-2014 08:12 AM
oldschool84f150
1980 - 1986 Bullnose F100, F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
2
10-13-2009 12:07 AM