88 E150 tail lights
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Joined: Apr 2003
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88 E150 tail lights
Please Help! My 88 E-150's rear passenger tail light will not illuminate when the brake is applied. I've tried a new bulb and switched the bulb from the driver's side to the passenger side. Am I overlooking something? What could be wrong? This forum helped me with this van once before. and I'm sure you guys can help me this time as well. Thank you.
Junior User
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 76
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From: Alaska
similiar problem here
valhalla88 how did you solve this problem?
I have a 1989 E-150 and the drivers side tail light will go out when the brake is applied. (no brake light either) In the day time (when the headlights/tail lights are off) the brake light works fine.
I changed the bulb but that didn't help.
I have a 1989 E-150 and the drivers side tail light will go out when the brake is applied. (no brake light either) In the day time (when the headlights/tail lights are off) the brake light works fine.
I changed the bulb but that didn't help.
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Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 56,966
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From: Virginia
This is a common problem that has a common cause. The return path to ground for the bulb has been lost. So instead of returning to ground, the 12 volt signal returns backwards throught the other circuit. The brake light filament and the marker light filament are tied together inside the bulb, so this reversal takes place if the ground is gone.
The most common problem is the brass part of the bulb is not making good contact with the metal tang on the side of the socket. It can also be a problem where the black wire from the socket bolts to the body, since the socket is plastic, this is how the bulb is grounded.
If you want to try a test, take a length of wire and touch one end to a good ground on the van. With the socket out, jamb the other end of the wire down the side of the bulb to provide a ground.
The most common problem is the brass part of the bulb is not making good contact with the metal tang on the side of the socket. It can also be a problem where the black wire from the socket bolts to the body, since the socket is plastic, this is how the bulb is grounded.
If you want to try a test, take a length of wire and touch one end to a good ground on the van. With the socket out, jamb the other end of the wire down the side of the bulb to provide a ground.
Junior User
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 76
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From: Alaska
Brake light tail light works now
First I tried sanding the connections in the socket but that didn't fix it. Then I cut the the black wire from the socket and ground it to the body, but that didn't fix it.
Then I went to the junk yard and found another socket and replaced the socket.
Now it works!
Then I went to the junk yard and found another socket and replaced the socket.
Now it works!
