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

Tiny
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!
Monday, February 18th, 2008 AT 3:09 PM

4 Replies

Tiny
MASTERTECHTIM
  • MECHANIC
  • 4,750 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.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Monday, February 18th, 2008 AT 3:21 PM
Tiny
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.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Monday, February 18th, 2008 AT 5:06 PM
Tiny
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!
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Monday, February 18th, 2008 AT 5:27 PM
Tiny
MASTERTECHTIM
  • MECHANIC
  • 4,750 POSTS
The brighter bulb usually means the 1157 light bulb is installed 180 degrees out. Double check that or the wires are reversed from tail and stop.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Monday, February 18th, 2008 AT 5:38 PM

Please login or register to post a reply.

Related Running Light Fuse Content

VIEW MORE