help with eratic tail-brake lights
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 4,859
Likes: 55
From: Middleville, MI
help with eratic tail-brake lights
so i just noticed my rear lights are acting funny. i have been running LED bulbs in the stock tail lights and a recon third brake light for a couple years now trouble-free. here's the symptoms:
with lights off:
- blinkers, brake lights, and third brake lights all work normally
- hazard lights work
with lights on:
- brake lights stay on, third b/l is half-lit.
- pressing brake pedal keeps brake lights on, third brake light lights fully.
- left blinker on: brake lights on, blinks like brake pedal is pressed, third brake light acts goofy
- right blinker on: brake lights on, blinks like brake pedal is pressed, third brake light is OFF
- hazard lights do NOT work.
i put my trailer adapter in my plug and the litte LED's show that everything is working correctly at the plug. what the HECK is going on????
with lights off:
- blinkers, brake lights, and third brake lights all work normally
- hazard lights work
with lights on:
- brake lights stay on, third b/l is half-lit.
- pressing brake pedal keeps brake lights on, third brake light lights fully.
- left blinker on: brake lights on, blinks like brake pedal is pressed, third brake light acts goofy
- right blinker on: brake lights on, blinks like brake pedal is pressed, third brake light is OFF
- hazard lights do NOT work.
i put my trailer adapter in my plug and the litte LED's show that everything is working correctly at the plug. what the HECK is going on????
Cargo Master
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 2,726
Likes: 5
From: Slatington, PA
Check all the grounds. When a ground gets messed up on the brake lights, things backfeed and act funky. I'd look at the left one first since thats the one making the third brake light act up. It seems like somethings backfeeding through the third brake light with the left blinker on.
Post Fiend
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 10,007
Likes: 4
From: Central Florida
Take the lamps out and you should see the ground screw. Remove the screw/bolt and clean up the metal. Reassemble and check again.
Also, try looking for "burnt out" LEDs. The bulbs could be causing the issue. I would try it with conventional incandescent bulbs to see if the problem goes away.
Also, try looking for "burnt out" LEDs. The bulbs could be causing the issue. I would try it with conventional incandescent bulbs to see if the problem goes away.
Cargo Master
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 2,726
Likes: 5
From: Slatington, PA
I looked in the wiring manual for my 01 and it shows a common ground for the brake lights on the drivers side frame rail near the very end of the frame. Check that out when you get a chance. ReAX has a good idea too. If it does it with regular bulbs, its definately something in the wiring.
Thread Starter
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 4,859
Likes: 55
From: Middleville, MI
thanks guys, i'll look into it tonight when i get home.
just an update, when i went out and started it this morning the tail lights (not brake lights) were on and flickering, as was the third brake light (dim) WITHOUT the parking/headlights turned on... turn the lights on and its the same as described in my first post (brake lights lit, third brakelight eratic). ALSO, now my right blinker won't even blink (like not even on the dash).... but the left still works.
weird.
just an update, when i went out and started it this morning the tail lights (not brake lights) were on and flickering, as was the third brake light (dim) WITHOUT the parking/headlights turned on... turn the lights on and its the same as described in my first post (brake lights lit, third brakelight eratic). ALSO, now my right blinker won't even blink (like not even on the dash).... but the left still works.
weird.
Thread Starter
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 4,859
Likes: 55
From: Middleville, MI
good lord.
now the right blinker works but not the left; still the only time the third b/l goes off if when my right blinker is on.
ahhhhhh!
do you think it could be the multi-function switch? (aka, blinker/wiper lever and hazard switch combo).
also: pulled bulbs and third brake light one by one.... problems still persist.
now the right blinker works but not the left; still the only time the third b/l goes off if when my right blinker is on.
ahhhhhh!
do you think it could be the multi-function switch? (aka, blinker/wiper lever and hazard switch combo).
also: pulled bulbs and third brake light one by one.... problems still persist.
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Logistics Pro
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From: Middleville, MI
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From: Wayland, MI
If you have the factory installed trailer connector, you should be able to disconnect it at the rear of the truck. Hook the fuses back up after you check to see if all works properly. Then you have isolated it to the very rear harness, which can be replaced easily.
Sounds like you are on the right path. Let us know what you come up with.
Sounds like you are on the right path. Let us know what you come up with.
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