Brake/Tail light problems

[Millerad1651]

So my wife's 98 Limited is giving me a headache. Her brake lights were out, so I went and picked some up today. I followed her this morning and noticed that they were out (3rd is still good), her reverse lights were good, so were her taillights. I checked the fuses under the hood and they're good.
I changed the first one out, and it was burned up. Go to change the driver side, looked good, changed it anyways. Had her tap the brakes, and driver side still doesn't work.
I had her turn on her lights, and the taillight works. But the taillight doesn't work on the passenger side!
So, to clear it up. I've change both bulbs that run the brake/tail lights. When her lights are off, one brake light works, one doesn't. When I turn the lights on, one works and one doesn't. But its not the same light that doesn't work. Any one have any suggestions...I'm freakin lost!:boom:

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/SaCFJ462THY" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[Singtoe]

Sounds like a trailer light converter has gone hay wire. Try disconnecting it and see what happens.

 

[Millerad1651]

Haven't had time to check the trailer harness, will do that when I get home today. Anyone else have an idea?

 

[Millerad1651]

I disconnected the trailer wiring harness, still have the problem. I looked at all the wiring, it's all in good shape. No cuts or nicks creating a short. Can't figure out why one part of each bulb works, but not the other.

 

[Millerad1651]

So now both tail lights work, but the driver side brake light is still out. The passenger and third brake light work, but no driver side. I looked under the dash at the brake pedal switch and couldn't tell if anything was wrong. I'll bump this one more time...anyone?

 

[jmildoc]

maybe the brake light bulbs are the problem, they are the ones with a double filament right?

 

[Millerad1651]

Yep, its the double filament bulbs. I've switched them back and forth, and they'll work in the different housings, so its not the bulbs themselves.

 

[Moon_Runner]

Back from the dead..

I’m havin this exact problem. Driver side tail light works but no driver side break light. Anybody have any ideas?

Changed all bulbs and brushed connectors but no luck.

Thanks!

 

[TrexRunnerGirl]

I am resurrecting this thread as I am having an issue with the driver's side brake light.

I've changed the bulbs x 2 but here's the deal - when the lights are turned On - there is no driver's side running light.

If the truck is put in reverse or the brakes are touched the light is fine - with the lights on or off.

There is no problem with the trailer lights or that junction.

WTF is the problem??!! :wacko:

My son now drives my truck (insurance is way cheaper and yes he got his license - ugh 16) and I can't have him pulled over for a tail light being out.

Please guide me or even call me to fix this issue. Driving me bonkers!

 

[SaulG]

Did you check/clean bulb sockets? Check 12v at socket??
GRN/WHT wire is Stop -----|
GRN is Tail and Lic plate ---| for both sides, some of the off brand bulbs do not make contact in the sockets ( nubs on bulb not correct ) rare but possible!?

 

[TrexRunnerGirl]

Now I have lights!! yay!

Cleaned, greased and just grabbed a brand new pack of bulbs. and it worked.

I saw a pack of 7440 missing one so I think my 'genius' child put in the wrong bulb.
his thinking...meh, 7440 should work - looks the same as 7443.
Me - but the connectors/prongs are different..4 vs 2. get it?
Him..oh yea.
ME - "grabs a shot of whiskey so as to not smack him." LOL

Thanks you 3rd Gen Beasts!!

 

[T4RE-L505]

Similar Problems

Sorry for re-resurrecting this old thread again, but I am having a similar problem in my 97 3rd gen.

Except none of my brake lights work and i have already replaced bulbs, I have replaced fuses and I have even changed out my brake sensor on the pedal.
Anybody have any ideas? somebody on another thread mentioned grounds somewhere could be an issue possibly but I am not sure where the grounds would be or anything. if anyone can shed any light on that it would be great!:roll::roll:

 

[phattyduck]

Time to break out the multimeter. You'll want to start by checking for 12V at one of the brake light switch connections. You'll also want to check for power at the STOP fuse (only one side will have 12V with the fuse removed). If anything upstream of the STOP fuse was not working, the truck wouldn't run.
Then check back at the tail lights - the Green-White wire is for the brake lights.
Otherwise, there isn't much to the system.

Let us know what you find...

-Charlie

 

[T4RE-L505]

Thanks, ill check that out this weekend and report back. lol

 

[Ed_C]

If the other taillight bulbs (reverse, turn) inoperative it sounds like a ground issue, all those circuits have a common ground if I recall.

 

[T4RE-L505]

If the other taillight bulbs (reverse, turn) inoperative it sounds like a ground issue, all those circuits have a common ground if I recall.

Unfortunately I have not gotten around to what the other guy mentioned I should look into because I haven't been able to borrow my brothers multi meter
But as far as the grounds go I have suspected this from the beginning I just have no clue where the hell the ground would be. can't find diagrams and I haven't ever had to worry about a tail light ground and by the time I get out of work its kinda dark out and I ain't too motivated with the cold lol

 

[Ed_C]

It's a ring terminal, Just what the dr ordered, simple winter project around 11 minutes into the video

 

[brillo_76]

Grounds are white black. Ground is ground. All grounds in the wiring harness goto ground junctions. So all grounds are common.

Sent from my SM-J337V using Tapatalk

 

[T4RE-L505]

It's a ring terminal, Just what the dr ordered, simple winter project around 11 minutes into the video

So I checked the 2 tail light grounds left and right , not sure if the 3rd light has one, but I'd assume it does .. didnt check that one . Left and right are fine , but the right side is where it looks like all the trailer light connector wires are at and it's kinda messy in there do you think the issue could somehow be the trailer light hook up.

 

[T4RE-L505]

Grounds are white black. Ground is ground. All grounds in the wiring harness goto ground junctions. So all grounds are common.

Sent from my SM-J337V using Tapatalk

I appreciate the help , but I'm a noob and to be honest I don't know what you mean by all grounds are common, also do you think one ground would be messing up all broke lights and not the tail light itself.