tail light out, but it ain't the bulb...
#1
03-01-2003, 08:54 AM
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tail light out, but it ain't the bulb...
I HATE ELECTRICAL!!!! That being said, here's my latest snaffu:
I was told that my driver's side brake light is out. So, being the obedient vehicle operator, I pulled in to the nearest discount auto parts store (Kragan), pulled out the "bad" bulb, took it inside and the kind gentleman behind the counter quickly found its replacement. Done, right? NOT!!! I installed the new bulb and commandered the services of the next poor sod who walked by to "tell me if the light goes on when I step on the brake"?. Well, it still didn't light when I applied the brake. Ah, H-E- double hockey sticks!!!!!
So what could it be? Maybe the two little nubber-doohickey's ("contacts"?) on the bottom of the bulb that the bulb touches on inside the lens? Bad ground? (but if that were the case, it wouldn't have been working all along up until now, huh?).
My mind is a cavalcade of cascading possibilities.... Won't someone put this query to rest, l'est Officer Friendly come and giveth me a ticketh?
Smackin' my forehead,
Daryl
I was told that my driver's side brake light is out. So, being the obedient vehicle operator, I pulled in to the nearest discount auto parts store (Kragan), pulled out the "bad" bulb, took it inside and the kind gentleman behind the counter quickly found its replacement. Done, right? NOT!!! I installed the new bulb and commandered the services of the next poor sod who walked by to "tell me if the light goes on when I step on the brake"?. Well, it still didn't light when I applied the brake. Ah, H-E- double hockey sticks!!!!!
So what could it be? Maybe the two little nubber-doohickey's ("contacts"?) on the bottom of the bulb that the bulb touches on inside the lens? Bad ground? (but if that were the case, it wouldn't have been working all along up until now, huh?).
My mind is a cavalcade of cascading possibilities.... Won't someone put this query to rest, l'est Officer Friendly come and giveth me a ticketh?
Smackin' my forehead,
Daryl
Last edited by DS59F100; 03-01-2003 at 08:56 AM.
#2
03-01-2003, 10:22 AM
tail light out, but it ain't the bulb...
The easiest way to verify that your ground is good is to check if the tail light on that side works. If it does, then the ground is fine - the double filament bulb shares the ground path for both filaments. If the tail light works, then you've either got a bad socket or a problem with the wires going to it.
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03-01-2003, 10:49 AM
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tail light out, but it ain't the bulb...
Originally posted by BlueOvalRage
The easiest way to verify that your ground is good is to check if the tail light on that side works. If it does, then the ground is fine - the double filament bulb shares the ground path for both filaments. If the tail light works, then you've either got a bad socket or a problem with the wires going to it.
The easiest way to verify that your ground is good is to check if the tail light on that side works. If it does, then the ground is fine - the double filament bulb shares the ground path for both filaments. If the tail light works, then you've either got a bad socket or a problem with the wires going to it.
Thanks again.... I'll check it out this morning. Worse come to worse, I can order replacement sockets with wires for $4 each from Motorhaven. $8 bucks to cure a problem and have peace-of-mind?... Priceless!
Daryl
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03-01-2003, 10:56 AM
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tail light out, but it ain't the bulb...
Daryl, I've had a similar problem, turned out the connection coming out of my GM steering column was a little loose. Of course it could be a dozen other things, too. Did you check to see if anything else does'nt work, like turn signals (both sides, front and rear) or taillights? Or the 4 way flashers (If you got them)? Randy
Randy
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03-01-2003, 11:10 AM
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tail light out, but it ain't the bulb...
Originally posted by PaintedDesert56
Daryl, I've had a similar problem, turned out the connection coming out of my GM steering column was a little loose. Of course it could be a dozen other things, too. Did you check to see if anything else does'nt work, like turn signals (both sides, front and rear) or taillights? Or the 4 way flashers (If you got them)? Randy
Daryl, I've had a similar problem, turned out the connection coming out of my GM steering column was a little loose. Of course it could be a dozen other things, too. Did you check to see if anything else does'nt work, like turn signals (both sides, front and rear) or taillights? Or the 4 way flashers (If you got them)?
Randy
Good ideas... I'll check it out. BTW, love that D.H. line , too...
Daryl
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