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Tail Light Not lighting up correctly


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Had major HEAD up A## moment about a month ago, backed my Brat into our Tahoe :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: ...I still want to cry... :eek:

At least it was nearly bumper to bumper and not clear down the side on side, could have been much worse. 

Well it busted the passenger lens completely up then cracked up the housing part with a few pieces broken completely off.

 

I figured all I would have to do was put the pieces back together pull a few dents then get it painted AGAIN at some point.

 

I did find a complete lens and housing, just  don't want to give one of my arm bones up though.

Before I de-appendage myself I figured I would play Humpty Dumpty first. :rolleyes:

 

Pieces went together okay, the tail, turn, flasher, backup lights don't function correctly.

I turn the flasher on and all three bulbs flash faintly, tail light does come on with lights, as well does the backup,

when I hit the turn signal they all flash faintly again.

 

I've tried all new bulbs, that did not really change my outcome any different then I described above.

 

One other thing I started seeing is the BRAIN box under the steering column is blinking its red eye when I turn the key on to the run position,

I have not noticed this action previously.

 

HELP!  

 

ANY input is greatly appreciated thanks.

 

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"Pieces went together okay, the tail, turn, flasher, backup lights don't function correctly.

I turn the flasher on and all three bulbs flash faintly, tail light does come on with lights, as well does the backup,"

 

 

So your saying everything works correctly except when you use the turn signal? Or the back up light comes on with the park lamps? Its possible that the wire for the turn signal lamp was damaged at the socket and is slightly shorting to ground. If a visual inspection yeilds nothing you might try letting the signal blink while you juggle the connections where they enter the sockets and see if it makes any difference. Do this with the ground wire too (the one attached to the metal socket housing).

 

I also want to add that I kinda doubt the error light flashing on the ecm is related.

Edited by ihscout54
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I wiggled all the wires individually as described above with no change.

 

 

Upon further testing, the hazard option works fine with key in off position, in on position it flashes back and forth between turn and other half of brake light in the middle with a real slight burn on the back up bulb, turn the key off and it goes back to turn bulb correctly.

I have also switched tail lights from side to side with same result.

 

post-38620-0-18778100-1421723685_thumb.jpg

 

Any idea how to fix a plug with broken wire such as this, not the same taillight as I'm having issues with either.

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"Any idea how to fix a plug with broken wire such as this, not the same taillight as I'm having issues with either."

 

Whats the deal with the wire nuts, was that a repair or do you have trailer lights? Its time to dust off the soldering iron and heat shrink. Wire nuts are not a trust worthy connection. 

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"Any idea how to fix a plug with broken wire such as this, not the same taillight as I'm having issues with either."

 

Whats the deal with the wire nuts, was that a repair or do you have trailer lights? Its time to dust off the soldering iron and heat shrink. Wire nuts are not a trust worthy connection. 

That light is actually an extra that I got with a bunch of parts I bought last year, if I can figure out how to fix that plug I would do the rest of the wiring correctly.

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Gotcha, the wire in the pic has come out of the connector? Its a pain but the terminal inside the connector can be removed with a small flat screw driver or pick. Then replaced or soldered etc. Since the harness is a mess anyways ide cut the harness off the busted light or get another at a j-yard, it doesent have to be a brat just find a similar connector and solder it for better results.

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