Tail lights not coming on now

[Dominic Torreto]

I was wondering behind the gauges which wires lead to or are involved with the tail lights? THe wiring diagram I have says its the brown one on the direction switch connector. I turn my headlights on and the tail lights do not come on. They were working before when you put the brakes on. All fuses are good to. Also would the panel dimmer switch be involved at all with the tail light wires? I think I need a new one.

 

[440roadrunner]

No, the tail does not go through the dash dimmer.

WHAT YEAR are you working on?

Do your parking lights work?

About 69? 70? Mopar changed the switch wiring, and hooked the parking light wire in with the tail lights, so that both would stay on with headlights.

Get into the left kick panel and check for power at that connector where the harness goes towards the rear. If you don't have power there, and you DO have power at the tail fuse, you have a problem at the light switch connector or in the switch itself.

Tail power from the fuse to the switch should be purple

Power coming FROM the switch to the headlights should be a no 18 black, which goes to the kick panel connector

Power coming from switch to parking lamps is light green. Below is a photo of your kick panel connector, showing the black tail light power on pin no. 2

 

[HT413]

your post is very vague. you say they don't work w/ the headlights but they *used to* come on with the brakes. is that the only time they used to come on? how about blinkers, hazard, parking lights? did any of those work or just the brake lights? do any of those work now?

if everything worked then but not now, it's likely a bad connection w/ main tail power or a bad ground. need more info beyond that.

either way, I can't see how it has anything to do with the dimmer, as that only has to do with gauge lights and dome light.

 

[Dominic Torreto]

hazzards work, headlights(high beams and low beams work), Brake lights were working untill I was taking out the gauges.

 

[Dominic Torreto]

The tail lights would not stay on with the headlights and the parking light did not work either

 

[Dominic Torreto]

Update Gentlemen I got the tail lights to come on with the headlights on and in park. Bad news is still not getting the brake lights to come on. What color codes for the wires for that am I looking for. Also what could be causing that and is there any advise on were to check with the multimeter? Where does the wires lead to the brakes that lead to the brake lights on the tail lights(where on the bulkhead)? Thanks guys once again and the problem with that one was the fuse in the fuse box. Didnt notice it the first time but all the fuses are 100 percent good in the fuse box now.

 

[iraqivet01]

Check the switch at the brake peddle. make sure it getting drepressed when the brake peddle it pushed.

If it is , disconnect the wires going to it and check the voltage, it you has voltage, connect the wires together. If they come on, it's the switch, if not it could be a bad bulbs. or other wiring issues.

 

[joshb1983]

make sure there grounded good also...my grounds were loose and making my car do similar things and made them work sometimes but very dim when they did work..or just parklights but no brake lights.i fixed the grounds and its working fine now..

 

[HT413]

dominic, ya gotta get a wiring diagram. I got a nice poster sized wiring diagram for my garage wall at http://classiccarwiring.com/plymouth.php it's color coded and it's BIG, so it's very easy to follow. You got a major set of b@lls tackling the gauges without one lol

 

[Dominic Torreto]

Update gentlemen the tail lights work when the car has the headlights on. I am going to test the brake wires tonight and give you guys feedbacik.

 

[bigmanjbmopar]

Did I miss something? What year and car, was it mentioned?

 

[Dominic Torreto]

No, the tail does not go through the dash dimmer.

WHAT YEAR are you working on?

Do your parking lights work?

About 69? 70? Mopar changed the switch wiring, and hooked the parking light wire in with the tail lights, so that both would stay on with headlights.

Get into the left kick panel and check for power at that connector where the harness goes towards the rear. If you don't have power there, and you DO have power at the tail fuse, you have a problem at the light switch connector or in the switch itself.

Tail power from the fuse to the switch should be purple

Power coming FROM the switch to the headlights should be a no 18 black, which goes to the kick panel connector

Power coming from switch to parking lamps is light green. Below is a photo of your kick panel connector, showing the black tail light power on pin no. 2

On that image sir. I have the wiring diagram dont get me wrong and that is on there is that? Is that the fuse box or is that part of the bulkhead?":

 

[HT413]

Dominic, if i may be so bold... you have a most frustrating habit of not answering our questions. WHat year? What car? You pulled the gauges... why? What was wrong that made u pull em? What did you do once you pulled em? What wires did u touch in the process? Did it all work before u touched it? Be SPECIFIC and DETAILED when you answer. Answer ALL of our questions, We're not at your elbow to see what you did / are doing.

 

[HT413]

I dont even know what this post means. It might be helpful to us if you keep all posts together in one thread so we can read the history of wha you've done and why instead of scattered posts with no context.

On that image sir. I have the wiring diagram dont get me wrong and that is on there is that? Is that the fuse box or is that part of the bulkhead?":

 

[440roadrunner]

Sorry I don't understand The tail lights do not go through the bulkhead

 

[RustyRatRod]

Dominic, I don't mean this disrespectfully, but if you could make more coherent posts and try to be concise, I am sure we could be of better help. Some of your posts are kinda tough to understand. Can you help us out? Maybe answer some of the questions posed to you? That would be a good start.

 

[RustyRatRod]

Sorry I don't understand The tail lights do not go through the bulkhead

The power that supplies them does.

 

[Dominic Torreto]

Gentlemen Sorry for the lack of information. The car is a 1970 Dodge charger 500(og 383). The engine is a 75 440(4 barrel) ramcharger. The inside is still original. I have a update I am getting juice on the tail light wires when the headlights are off. I also am getting juice on the wires that lead to the fuse from the switch. I did press the switch and it did not turn on the tail lights(brake switch). So THis Friday I am going to get a brake switch for that. THe tail lights do work with the headlights. ANyways I am going to thank you guys for helping me out for the struggles. I do appreciate the help!

 

[Dominic Torreto]

power is at the tail lights when headlights are off. Power is at the fuse to switch I am guessing the switch. I am going to buy one Friday and update.

 

[Dominic Torreto]

read

got them to work fellas. Turned out that one side of the lightbulbs were burnt out. So new bulbs were the issue. I appreciate the help through this one.