1985 Dodge Ram tail lights dim on one side only (driver sid

AQUAHOLIC

MEMBER
1985 DODGE RAM
6 CYL
2WD
MANUAL
23,000 MILES

My brake lights work, the tail lights work, the reverse lights work but if you use the lights and the brakes the reverse light comes on, if you use reverse and turn on the lights they dim, if you use all three they almost go all the way dim. I've checked the ground, I've checked the fuse box. Electrical is not my thing and I'm stumped. Please help!

4 Replies

MASTERTECHTIM

MECHANIC
4,749 POSTS

It has to be the ground causing it to back feed and cause your condition. Double check the sockets and make sure the bulb is getting a good connection.

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Monday, February 18th, 2008 AT 3:21 PM

AQUAHOLIC

MEMBER
3 POSTS

I replaced all four bulbs and it made it worse, now they alternate, if you add lights and reverse one dims and the other brake light goes completely out. With just head lights one tail light doesn't light up and if you use all three it gets bright and the other dims.

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Monday, February 18th, 2008 AT 5:06 PM

AQUAHOLIC

MEMBER
3 POSTS

Well, it turns out its some kind of connection problem. It has a after market bumper and the wiring for original lights for the license plate have been cut, when I connected the two wires then the passenger side lights work perfectly and when just the lights are one the driver side lights look as if the brakes are on (brighter than the passenger side). So it has to be some kind of short with the license frame light wiring.

Guess I'll have to take it to a pro, DERN IT!

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Monday, February 18th, 2008 AT 5:27 PM

MASTERTECHTIM