Why are my tail lights not working properly?
(There’s two on each bulb.) A common problem with that generation is flattening/melting of the soft metal contacts on the base of the bulbs. As one spreads out, it either contacts the other causing interaction between the brake and tail light circuits, or, it contacts the metal base of the bulb, which is grounded when the bulb is installed.
What should I do if my tail light bulb has come loose?
If a wire has come loose, reattach it. On most new cars, the wiring harness is located behind panels in the trunk and is not accessible without removing the panels. Check the taillight bulbs. If the fuse and wiring look right, the bulbs themselves might be the problem.
Can a tail light be connected to a left turn signal?
Thinking fast, I removed the opposite tail light assembly and connected it to the left side connector I had removed. The left turn signal worked fine when connected to the right tail light. Problem solved! Almost. I was very grateful the tail light wiring issue was not somewhere in the truck.
Is it dangerous to drive with broken tail lights?
So, driving with broken tail lights is very dangerous. Actually, people find out about their tail light problem when the police officer pulls them over. This is because the tail light malfunction is not that easy to spot. Usually, brake lights are the problem and the tail lights work just fine. But, sometimes it’s the opposite.
What should I do if my tail light is not working?
Check the taillight bulbs. If the fuse and wiring look right, the bulbs themselves might be the problem. To check them, unscrew the taillight lenses from the outside using a screwdriver. If your lenses don’t have screws, open the trunk so you can access the lights from the inside.
When to take a tail light bulb to the mechanic?
If the bulb is fine, your car may have a deeper electrical problem. If the fuse, taillight wires, and bulb are all in good shape, it’s time to take the car to the mechanic. When you remove a bulb for replacement, you should inspect the socket for burnt contacts and the tail lamp for burnt contacts or melted socket boards.
How can I tell if my tail lights have a fuse?
When you have located the fuse for the tail lights use a fuse tester to check the connection. If the tester lights up – your fuse is functioning fine. If it does not light up then, replace the fuse with another of the similar amperage and size. In many instances, you can see the break in the metal strip of the fuse.
So, driving with broken tail lights is very dangerous. Actually, people find out about their tail light problem when the police officer pulls them over. This is because the tail light malfunction is not that easy to spot. Usually, brake lights are the problem and the tail lights work just fine. But, sometimes it’s the opposite.