1999 Oldsmobile Cutlass My driver side brake light doesnt w

Tiny
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  • 1999 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 125,000 MILES
Hello
i just changed all the bulbs-
i checked all the fuses

when I depress the brake pedal the top two bulbs go out completely and the bottom ones go one

all the bulbs are new
i checked for corrossion

any help would be appreciated
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Saturday, January 31st, 2009 AT 11:44 PM

12 Replies

Tiny
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https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/55316_99cutlass_1.jpg



Please help me understand the problem.
You replaced the bulbs and checked the fuses. I have color-coded your tail lights. Driver side you have red and purple, passenger side blue and orange, and the high mount stop lights green rectangle.

With the engine on, turn on your headlight.

1. Without depressing your brake, are the tail lights working? All red, purple, blue and orange. If no, which one working? If yes, go to 2.
2. Step on the brake. Observe stop lights. Using color codes, describe the ones that are working.
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Sunday, February 1st, 2009 AT 2:18 AM
Tiny
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1) Yes
2) I uploaded a video at youtube that will show you what is working and not working.

Here is the link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kPC249I-zHU

This should help better than I can explain it.

Thank you for your help.
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Wednesday, February 4th, 2009 AT 12:52 AM
Tiny
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https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/55316_badlink_1.jpg



Bad link
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Wednesday, February 4th, 2009 AT 1:05 AM
Tiny
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Yes I noticed shortly after I uploaded the video.

The website just happened to be temporarily down at the moment because they were doing maintenance, but it is up for me now.

Try again in just a bit. The link is still good and will eventually work for sure.
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Wednesday, February 4th, 2009 AT 1:51 AM
Tiny
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Okay, the website link appears to be working 100% now.
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Wednesday, February 4th, 2009 AT 12:16 PM
Tiny
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Thank you.

Seeing that there is a cross between exterior lights, turn signal and back up light circuits (engine on, brake and reverse on; driver brake light off, driver backup light off, driver turn on), I can tell you that your junction block is short-circuiting. You may have to replace the entire unit.


https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/55316_99cutlassbackup_1.jpg



https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/55316_99cutlassexterior_1.jpg



https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/55316_99cutlassturn_1.jpg



https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/55316_99cutlassrightjunction_1.jpg

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Wednesday, February 4th, 2009 AT 11:47 PM
Tiny
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Thank you for replying.

So when you say "Junction Block" does that mean the same as a fuse box panel (where the fuses and relays connect to)?

If so, does this mean it's the fuse box panel itself that is short-circuiting and needs to be replaced with another panel? Or is it something connected to the fuse box panel that is causing a short?

How much does it cost and is it easy to replace?

Below is a picture of my three fuse boxes.


https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/310838_fusebox_small_1.jpg


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Thursday, February 5th, 2009 AT 7:39 PM
Tiny
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It is the fuse box on the passenger side. I believe the box itself is short-circuiting. If you look at the wiring diagram, the wires have different numbers on them, but close to one another. You may want to remove the fuse box from its bracket and try to see the back side of it for possible short-circuit. I don't believe that you can remove the harnesses. It probably just need some cleaning with some electronic parts cleaner such as CRC QD


https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/55316_05103_1.jpg



If that does not work, you may have to search some wrecking yard. I tried to search eBay, they only have a listing for under hood fuse box.
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Thursday, February 5th, 2009 AT 10:57 PM
Tiny
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I went ahead and took out the passenger-side fuse box, disconnected the three connectors from the unit and inspected everything very carefully. I saw no evidence of wires shorting out and no discoloration on anything. All wires, sockets and pins were very clean and unharmed.

I got a can of CRC and sprayed everything, let it dry and put it back together. I started the car and did all the tests again. Unfortunately, the tail light problems still exist.

Below is a picture of the parts.


https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/310838_fusebox_passenger_1.jpg



Question:
Is it possible to check relays for continuity with a multimeter to indicate if it is bad or not ?
That is, assuming the grey blocks plugged in next to the fuses are relays.

Could it just be a bad relay or multiple relays?

Anymore suggestions would be helpful.
Thank you.
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Friday, February 6th, 2009 AT 8:20 PM
Tiny
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***
1. It is possible to check continuity. Use resistance function. Pull the park lamp relay (under hood junction box, left side of engine). Check continuity between 85 and 86. And check for no continuity between 30 and 87. Turn the key on. Check for continuity between 30 and 87.

2. Your relay is under the hood, not at the passenger side junction block.

3. I don't think it is relay this time, as the passenger side lamps are working properly.
***

Since the passenger side fuse box is good, the problem must lie towards the back side of the car. I spent quite some times reading through the wiring diagram to see correlation between you tail lights, stop lights, turn signal lights, and back-up lights.

Reason:
1. When you step on the brake, left tail lights dim out, left stop light don't work, left turn signal turns on, both back up lights on, left 3rd brake light not on, and left side side marker not on.

2. When you put on reverse, left tail lights not on, left brake lights not on, left turn signal on, left back up light not on, left 3rd brake light not on, and left side marker not on.

Your back up lights get power from back up lamp fuse 10A, goes through the neutral safety switch on top of the transmission, to B11 and C2 in the passenger fuse box. B11 switches to B2 to the left back up lamp in the tail assembly, to G314 ground on left side of rear package shelf. C2 switches to C3 to the right back up light, to G313 ground on right side of rear package shelf.

Your tail lights get power from park lamp fuse 15A to the multi function switch that negatively triggers the park lamp relay through the body control module. The relay splits power to 5 different wires:
1. Right front park/turn
2. Right front side marker
3. Left front park/turn
4. Left front side market
5. Right passenger side junction block. This junction block then splits into 3 wires.
1. License plate lamp and grounds to G314
2. Right rear tail/stop lamps and side marker. All this grounds to G313.
3. Left rear tail/stop lamps and side marker. All this grounds to G314.

Now, as all the lamps are negatively triggered, ALL bulbs have to be working. If even one bulb is not working, all systems will be affected, such as yours. As the license plate was blocked off, I could not see if your license plate light was on, and that your left 3rd brake light was out. I would concentrate on those two bulbs, all left rear bulbs and also the ground coming out of the left tail lamp assembly.
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Monday, February 9th, 2009 AT 8:07 PM
Tiny
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First of all, thank you for all your help.

I had someone take a look at the vehicle and he said it was the turning signal stick on the steering wheel. So I had to buy a $100 turning signal stick and he replaced it.

He brought it back to me and showed that it was working.

Case closed.
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Sunday, February 15th, 2009 AT 2:40 AM
Tiny
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Cool.
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Monday, February 16th, 2009 AT 9:33 PM

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