licence plate lights dont work???

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Nov 5, 2005 | 05:52 PM

77f2504by4

Thread Starter

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Joined: Jun 2004

Posts: 1,133

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From: Dracut, Massachusetts

licence plate lights dont work???

the bulb blew out in my licence plate light. so i went to replace it, and i bought the snap in universal lights, same as what was on the truck. and they dont work. i am getting 11 volts with the parking lights on. (grounding the meter to the bumper) but when i plug the light in, and push it into the hole, nothing. i tested the light from the battery to the fender and it works fine. i filed down the rust on the bumper so it was shiney with no luck. all my other lights work, just not the licence plate ones. i dont see how i can get voltage at the light, and have a good ground and it still wont work.

Nov 6, 2005 | 09:24 AM

Shane269

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Joined: Oct 2004

Posts: 57

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From: Iowa

There is a couple of things to check. First 11 volts doesn't sound very strong but it should light a light bulb. Try to test the light bulb at the battery or use an ohm meter to test it for resistance. Then we can rule out the bulb being defective. If it is not the bulb then it has to be the electrical supply I would always accuse the ground first. try using some sand paper inside the hole for the light. Now install the bulb and check for resistance between the metal portion of the light bulb and the bumper. If you have little to no resistance then you are doing good! You can also check the connection that you used to connect the light to 12+ it should be a bullet connector Make sure that is good and clean. Turn on the lights and see if it works. If the light works remove the bulb and put dielectric grease around the opening that you just cleaned that will protect it. You can also grease the bullet connector.