April B/S thread
Post Fiend
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 7,649
Likes: 2
From: Wallingford, CT
And I'm trying to figure out this POS Chrysler product.
I got the 3rd brake light cover off (drilled out old screw heads and got the shank out with pliers) and replaced the bulbs, but got no light still.
I got the test light out and both plugs for the lights have power. The new bulbs appear to be direct replacements for the old ones. WTF?
I got the 3rd brake light cover off (drilled out old screw heads and got the shank out with pliers) and replaced the bulbs, but got no light still.
I got the test light out and both plugs for the lights have power. The new bulbs appear to be direct replacements for the old ones. WTF?
Diesel Van Enthusiast
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 5,147
Likes: 1
From: ~ Qatar ~
In automotive the switch is (sometimes) After the load (bulb) so the wire into the bulb and from the bulb is always Hot with respect to ground.
In our homes the line is only Hot up to the switch, and from the switch to the load to ground is (well) switched.
One way to find out is to Ground the 'far' side of the load, if you blow the fuse then its the 'source=Batt' side of the load, if the load 'works' then you know that the path to ground has the switch in it. Unless of course there is a supply side switch which happens to be on already.
Another thought is that you might have a High Resistance Ground and or Source, i.e. when you switch on the bulb, current is flowing, but not sufficiently to enable the bulb to reach incandescence. Think of a flashlight, when it gets dim or doesn't light you smack it, well that giggles the batteries and cleans the connections between the batteries. Granted the car is 12 volt, but still loose or corroded connections are significant to the flow of current.
In our homes the line is only Hot up to the switch, and from the switch to the load to ground is (well) switched.
One way to find out is to Ground the 'far' side of the load, if you blow the fuse then its the 'source=Batt' side of the load, if the load 'works' then you know that the path to ground has the switch in it. Unless of course there is a supply side switch which happens to be on already.
Another thought is that you might have a High Resistance Ground and or Source, i.e. when you switch on the bulb, current is flowing, but not sufficiently to enable the bulb to reach incandescence. Think of a flashlight, when it gets dim or doesn't light you smack it, well that giggles the batteries and cleans the connections between the batteries. Granted the car is 12 volt, but still loose or corroded connections are significant to the flow of current.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026
Brett Foote
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time
Joe Kucinski
Diesel Van Enthusiast
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 5,147
Likes: 1
From: ~ Qatar ~
I have boating circuit breakers in various ratings just for such testing.
I remove the fuse and hooked in the circuit breaker, I have those 'connectors' too
Really pays for itself when you are down to your last good fuse.
And too, when dealing with circuits that are Maxi-Fused at a few dollars a POP!
I equipped myself with this setup when I was working on Harley's.
Well lets see if we have fixed that short, here goes nothing
What, the shop is out of that size Maxi-Fuse
I remove the fuse and hooked in the circuit breaker, I have those 'connectors' too
Really pays for itself when you are down to your last good fuse.
And too, when dealing with circuits that are Maxi-Fused at a few dollars a POP!
I equipped myself with this setup when I was working on Harley's.
Well lets see if we have fixed that short, here goes nothing
What, the shop is out of that size Maxi-Fuse
Diesel Van Enthusiast
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 5,147
Likes: 1
From: ~ Qatar ~
I was learning a lot about Harley's.
The seasoned H-D Tech's were discovering a lot about my suite of sweet tools.
It was a good deal I negotiated with then: "Trade tools for knowledge."
The were always wanting to borrow my stuff, and only occasionally had I need to borrow their tools which I then went out and bought to add to my collection.
In return, they didn't make me struggle and "Look it up" when I encountered something that I was unacquainted with.
The seasoned H-D Tech's were discovering a lot about my suite of sweet tools.
It was a good deal I negotiated with then: "Trade tools for knowledge."
The were always wanting to borrow my stuff, and only occasionally had I need to borrow their tools which I then went out and bought to add to my collection.
In return, they didn't make me struggle and "Look it up" when I encountered something that I was unacquainted with.
pedant
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 23,576
Likes: 38
From: EXTREME southwest CT
If you do have continuity then it's some other issue, but I think it's a disconnected, or bad, ground.
Post Fiend
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 7,649
Likes: 2
From: Wallingford, CT
Ok. That explains it a little better. I'm sure Dave's explanation was more technically thorough, but he might as well have been speaking Swahili.