Left rear lights not working properly

Tiny
SOFMEDIC73
  • MEMBER
  • 2013 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN
  • 170,000 MILES
1. Purchased in 2016.
2. Replaced the left front headlamp in 2017.
3. Approximately a month later, pulled over for Left Rear lights out.
4. Replaced parking and brake lights on the left (front and rear).
5. Over the course of 30-days, replaced over 20-fuses.
6. Took it to the dealer, they wanted to charge $700.00 to "diagnosis".
7. Found a reputable electrical mechanic locally. He could not find the issue, and recommended a jumper on the fuse.
8. It worked; I did not have to replace fuses, and the lights were staying on.
9. Fast forward to now. All issues only on left side.

This is the issue:
Turn indicator only, okay!
Turn indicator, with lights on, okay!
Turn indicator, and braking, okay!
Turn indicator, with lights on, and braking, Left rear lights go out

When I activate my alarm via the fob, the only left rear light on, is the reverse light.


Any suggestions? I have en-route, a complete set of housings (right/left, front/end) to replace the ones on the vehicle now.
Thursday, September 17th, 2020 AT 10:05 AM

3 Replies

Tiny
DANNY L
  • MECHANIC
  • 5,648 POSTS
Hello, I'm Danny.

Just curious to know. Did the rear taillight housing have a crack or break in it to allow moisture or water to enter? Get back to me and we'll go from there. Hope this helps and thanks for using 2CarPros.
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Thursday, September 17th, 2020 AT 12:45 PM
Tiny
SOFMEDIC73
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
No, Sir. However, is my attempts to troubleshoot, I removed the right side tail light housing, and it appears that the left has been replaced (it is not factory).
In doing more research, the left tail light housing, is the one that is the replacement.

What is different? The right side has (2) black wires that go into the parking and brake light socket, where the left one has (1).

Thanks!
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Thursday, September 17th, 2020 AT 1:16 PM
Tiny
DANNY L
  • MECHANIC
  • 5,648 POSTS
Hello again.

It sounds like you might be having an issue with the wiring harness itself. Have you noticed if on any side that any of the bulb sockets appear to be burnt or melted? Had a friends Suburban with this problem but kept blowing brake light bulbs until I replaced harness. Yours might have a short in the wiring. They are about $30.00. I've attached a picture below of the harness for your attention but I think this is the right side. It's very easy to replace. Keep us updated. Hope this helps and thanks again for using 2CarPros.

Danny-
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Thursday, September 17th, 2020 AT 2:25 PM

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