Need help. 1st tailights work only when my headlights are off. So basically when I pull the headlight switch the tailights go out when I push the brake pedal. 2nd the blinkers work only when I don't hit the brake pedal. Oh and also my rear ligts that stay on with the headlights are'nt on either. Counld it be the relay? I heard that you can put a bigger relay on the car and it usually helps the lighting system. Which relay if that is true?o No:
I'd start out with a wiring diagram for your specific car. 1st hunch is your headlite sw is bad but thats ONLY a guess with out seeing the car/diagram. Robert
Sounds like a bad ground. Its good enough for one filiment but when you add the brake lights the ground isn't good enough for both filaments so the lights go out.
Ok, today I went to mess around with the lights some more. I turned on theheadlights and then I went to the trunk to mess around with the connector on the drivers side. When I did the night time running lights came on like they are supposed to but then went out and I could not get it to come backon. Does this pretty much confirm a bad ground or could it be the Rear bumper harness connector be bad? Also, I went ahead and turned the car on with my door open and I noticed that the lights were a little dim on the dash and interoir lights were dim. When ever I reved up the engine I noticed the lights get bright like they are supposed to. Does this confirm a weak output on the alt. or regulator? I do have double electric fans tht come on whenever the car is on to help keep it cool, plus I have a CD player. Any suggestions? Where can I get a high output alt. or can I use my alt. and just change the guts to save a little dough?
Yes thank you. So can you anwser the question about the lights dimming on my prior post? Also, do I have to remove the bumper to get to the tailight grounds or is there an easier way? Pics?
Follow your ground leads to their source and r&r em and shine em up- look at the wire where its crimped onto the connector- should still be copper colored not black or green, find your ground path and clean upall contact areas, you can usually loosen/tighten the bolt if it has a lock washer to dig in, otherwise remove the bolt and sand down all contact areas and replace the bolt(s)- you're gonna have to check them all so you may just want to buy a few ground straps and make your own new,clean path-easier than trying to fix old crud. You will still have to deal with ALL lights and such that ground to give them all a good contact/path.Start with the battery and alt/gen and work your way back methodically.:beer Robert
The tail light housings bolt to to the bumper. The grounds(2) should be bolted there. You may be able to see it from underneath, or through the license plate/gas fill opening. Look for any hanging wires. It's easy to miss these. They have a ring terminal that goes around the same bolt that attaches the tail light housings to the bumper.
The guys have you on the right track, but I have to contribute this one. When I turned on my headlights my gas gauge would go to empty, blinkers wouldn't work. That is only with the headlight switch pulled ON. I replaced the switch this summer ( 13.00 @ Auto Zone) and all of the gremlins are gone. Everything works as it should, and I am guessing there was a ground issue with the switch itself... Worth a try! Russell 1970 Skylark Custom Convertible 455
The guy I have checking it out said its working now but he wants to find the grounds to make sure they are not bad which I think they are. I may change the switch to. Does the switch look close to the original from Auto Zone?
Sorry to take so long to reply. The switch from Auto Zone is an exact replacement! It was the center of all my electrical woes in the lighting department... Russell
OK here is the latest on the light issue. Please give some feedback. 1. All grounds were found to be good. 2. Stop lights now work along with the blinkers. 3. Yes, blinkers work but they both flash in the rear and in the front the correct left or right turn signal works. Also, again when I put on the brakes the blinkers stop all together. 4. When I turn on the headlights all lights work except the tailights go out with no stop,turnsignal, or the basic night driving tail lights. My next move and this is were I need the help. I am thinking the blinker relay needs to be upgraded to a heavy duty relay. Should Auto Zone know what I'm talking about or does someone have the part number to give them? Also I think the headlight switch is def. one problem. Part Number for that? If anyone would like to call instead of posting here is my number 850-499-8524 Lance
That is classic grounding issues. Have you tried checking the grounds with a voltmeter? I mention that as it is easy for the grounds to loook and test fine using the low current from an ohm meter, but when the ground is hit with the amperage from the operating bulbs, that is when it takes a dump. You might also try re-grounding the wires to something you know is good for testing. Ray
That is classic grounding issues. Have you tried checking the grounds with a voltmeter? I mention that as it is easy for the grounds to loook and test fine using the low current from an ohm meter, but when the ground is hit with the amperage from the operating bulbs, that is when it takes a dump. You might also try re-grounding the wires to something you know is good for testing. Ray
Believe it or not I fixed my problem with changing my 1157 bulbs with LED 1157 bulbs. All lights work fine now. I'm thinking the LED take less power and that may of helped out. I'm sure my grounds are the main issue but ever since I changed them everything is working fine and the light are way brighter. Auto Zone 1157 LED bulbs $16.99 per set
Don't forget the turn signal switch. Not the stalk switch, but the master connector mounted to the steering column. First, climb under there so you can look at the underside of the steering column and make sure both halves of the big curving connector are tight. If they are, consider that it may be bad. A dealer should be able to find a new one somewhere if they search. That turn signal switch has every light going in and out of it except the headlights. Good luck
