My tail lights don't work. 88' XR7 reverse, blinkers, and brake lights do work. Any ideas of where to start would be greatly appreciated!!!
welcome, did you check the fuse panel?
Welcome to the site! x2 on the fusepanel and reccomend you check your lights
Hi, and welcome!!!! I had the same issiue,,, but it was the brake light switch on the brake pedal... it connects right at the booster rod/ brake, has two wires coming off it..
They are only $6, but before you buy a new one, take it off the bars, and press in on the gold color part, and have someone else check to see if the lights work.. ive been having an issiue with the switch needing shims for the booster, it doesnt quite push the switch enough to turn the lights on...
I'm wondering if it's the headlight switch...
I say we start at the fuse, then bulbs, then switches, then wiring
Brake light switch would not preclude the signals from working, and neither would be affected by the headlight switch. The backup lights would be an independent circuit as well. I'm guessing multple problems, or a bad ground to the tail lights.
First place to check is the fuse panel. You may have several blown fuses, or if the car's ever had a water leak you may have corrosion in the panel. Also check the fusible links out at the starter solenoid, as one link may feed all of those circuits (I don't have my EVTM handy, so I'm only guessing). Is there a trailer light connector on the car? Check it for corrosion and shorts that may have blown fuses.
Does your heater fan work? Gauges? If they don't, you need an ignition switch, which feeds all of those circuits (except the brake circuit, more on that below) and is a known issue with these cars (you may be able to get it replaced free, the 88's were recalled).
The brake lights are probably a separate issue, and it's likely the broken wire at the top of the brake light switch. They get brittle over time and break off, causing you to lose your brake lights, and you'll never notice them not working until somebody points it out to you.
Question: The brake, turn signal and stop lights don't work, but what about the park lights? License plate lights?
Guys, he says just the taillights don't work:hick:. Do your dash lights work? If not, probably a fuse.:D
If the front parking lights work, the headlight switch is good.
The brake lights work, so it's not the ground. Brake and tail lights use the same ground.
That narrows it down to fuse #15
Your license plate lights should also be not working.
(http://mysite.verizon.net/vzetk5cc/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/.pond/FusePanel87.jpg.w560h697.jpg)
Thanks guys for all the suggestions ill let you know tomorrow what i find.
Oh, shiznit, I misread the first post - I thought he said his brake, backup and turn signals don't work (IE, he had nothing at all back there). Please disregard my previous post :mullet:
X2 im an idiot...........
The fuse is good how do I check the switch. Does anyone have any diagrams that could possibly help me?
If the front parking lights come on the switch should be good.
Is the wiring virgin or has it been messed with?
Connector C513 in the diagram just below fuse #15 is one of the connectors behind the fuse panel. It should be a gray eight terminal connector.
Do you have a meter to trouble shoot with?
The fuse is ok. How would I go about checking the switch? Does anyone have any wire diagrams that may be helpful?
Yes I have a meter. Sorry I asked the same question twice. Thank you verry much for the diagram!!!
One obvious check is make sure the bulbs are all seated properly in the sockets. I cannot tell you how many times I have found bulbs loose or not twisted all the way clockwise. This will prevent the contact on the end of the bulb from being in the right position to power the running lamps.
Do your license plate lamps work at all?
It seems established that the common ground works for all bulbs since the brakes lamps and turn signals function.
If you don't get 12V on the running lamp contact inside the bulb socket, then there may be a break or short in the brown wire going through the wiring harness heading to the front of the car up to the headlamp switch.
It appears that the headlamp switch uses the same circuit for all the front parking lamps and rear running lamps including the rear side markers and license plate, so I would be looking at the brown wire in the rear body panel wiring harness and the connector in the left rear trunk that seperates the rear body panel harness from the body harness that runs along the driver's side of the car to the headlamp switch.
license plate lamps are also out.
I have no voltage at the tail light or license plate sockets. I guessing they share the same ground. Does anyone know where I could find it?
Do your front lamps (parking lights) work?
Yes everything works cept my tail lights and my license plate lights.
The wiring harness runs down the driver's side of the car into the trunk compartment on the same side. Look for the connector that separates that harness from the taillamp harness that runs accross the rear body panel. The brown wire in the harness should be getting 12v. at the connector pin that comes from the front. If no 12v there then there must be broken connection between the headlamp switch and the rear harness connector.
If you get 12v at the left side harness connector, then check for continuity between the rear taillamp panel harness connector and any one of the bulb socket dim filament contacts. The wiring for all the running lamps likely runs in series from the left taillamp, to the license plate lamps then the right taillamp. I'd look for the first connection in the left taillamp wiring.
I wish I could help you in person, I could have this diagnosed in minutes for you!
Thanks guys ill let you know what I find. I don't get much time to work on it. Im a student and a father of 3.
Thank you! Thank you it was a bad splice in the brown wire behind the switch.
Glad to hear you got that sorted out!