1994 Chevrolet Astro running taillights out

THELA414

MEMBER
1994 CHEVROLET ASTRO

My dashboard lights went out a couple of weeks ago. And now my taillights are out. The brake lights work and the blinkers all work. Even headlights work. But my running lights are out in the back. I changed a blown fuse and then my lights were all working. But as soon as I start my vehicle the tail lights shut off. I changed the fuse again and the taillights worked but as soon as I start my van it cuts off again. Why does this keep happening?

Wednesday, August 13th, 2014 AT 12:27 PM

1 Reply

CARADIODOC

MECHANIC
34,365 POSTS

A simple trick to finding a short is to replace the blown fuse with a pair of spade terminals, then use small jumper wires to connect them to a 12 volt light bulb. A brake light bulb works well. When the circuit is live and the short is present, the bulb will be full brightness and hot so be sure it's not laying on the carpet or against a plastic door panel. Now you can unplug electrical connectors and move things around to see what makes the short go away. When it does, the bulb will get dim or go out.

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Wednesday, August 13th, 2014 AT 8:11 PM