Intermittent tail light problems?

Tiny
TORCH25
  • MEMBER
  • 1990 GMC C2500
  • 300,000 MILES
I have a intermittent problem with my tail lights. The turn signal and brake light on the passenger side work and other times they don't. Also when I step on the pedal sometimes the blinker slows or stops completely. I have replaced the relay with contacts 87 & 87a and replaced the bulb that was out. What is the problem and how do I fix it?
Tuesday, January 10th, 2012 AT 1:12 AM

1 Reply

Tiny
CARADIODOC
  • MECHANIC
  • 34,194 POSTS
Sounds like there's a bad ground, either in the socket or in the wire. When the problem occurs, remove the bulbs from the left side. If the right ones go out, there's your proof of a bad ground. You will also be able to measure a voltage on every terminal on the right side bulbs. If you have the round brass-base bulbs, there should not be any voltage on that base. If there is, temporarily touch a jumper wire to that base and to something metal on the truck and you'll see the lights start to work. If you have the newer flat plastic-base bulbs, figuring out which one is the ground is a little harder.
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Tuesday, January 10th, 2012 AT 2:21 AM

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