Passenger side tail light not working

Tiny
JOSHMORALES1
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  • 2013 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA
  • 2.5L
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 76,000 MILES
So the passenger tail light does not work when I turn on my running lights. The brake light and turn signal work fine. The tail light uses the brake light also. It is a dual filament bulb. I swap bulbs with the driver tail light and still nothing. The driver side works fine. Also to note. There are two light assembly in the rear. A light on the trunk itself and a light in the bumper. Both lights on the driver side work when I turn running lights on. But not on the passenger side. I checked all fuses and nothing is blown and getting 12 volts on both end of fuses. I checked the socket it self on the passenger side brake housing and not getting 12 volts to the gray/red pin on the brake light connector.

Can anyone point me to the right direction?
Saturday, September 1st, 2018 AT 1:54 PM

18 Replies

Tiny
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Check the other end of that gray/red wire at pin 3 connector T52C of the "vehicle electronic system control module" located left side of dash for voltage.
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Monday, September 10th, 2018 AT 5:24 PM
Tiny
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Thank you for the reply. I am having a little trouble getting to the vehicle electronic control module it is such a tight spot with a lot of wires. Also to note; I noticed today no parking lights work on entire right side of the vehicle. The tail lights and the two bulbs inside the headlight on the passenger side also do not turn on when I turn on my parking light. I took the connector off the head light it self. Using my meter I measured between the grey/red pin and ground and did not get 12VDC.

I took the actual headlight switch inside the dash apart. I measured between gray/red and ground wire with switch on and got 12VDC. So I am getting the correct voltage at the headlight switch in the vehicle but no voltage at gray/red wire at neither the headlight or taillight passenger side of vehicle.
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Saturday, September 15th, 2018 AT 10:20 AM
Tiny
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Are you sure the wire was gray/red at the light switch? Because I do not see one.
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Saturday, September 15th, 2018 AT 10:45 AM
Tiny
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Yeah, I am positive it was gray/red. There is more wires on the connector for the light switch on the dash then the schematic you just posted. Also, this vehicle does not have fog lights and the light switch is only on or off. I will post a picture of the back end of the connector for the light switch shorty.
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Saturday, September 15th, 2018 AT 10:50 AM
Tiny
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Okay.
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Saturday, September 15th, 2018 AT 11:13 AM
Tiny
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Here is a photo of the light switch:
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Saturday, September 15th, 2018 AT 12:09 PM
Tiny
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Is this the vehicle electrical control module you were referring to?
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Saturday, September 15th, 2018 AT 12:11 PM
Tiny
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I have no idea about that module you did not say where you found that at.
About that light switch, can I see the front of the switch?
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Saturday, September 15th, 2018 AT 12:32 PM
Tiny
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That module is under the dash driver side. Behind the fuse block.
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Saturday, September 15th, 2018 AT 12:57 PM
Tiny
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I read the module was at left side of dash and I do not know why the wires do not match up for the light switch. Perhaps you should give me the VIN so I can double check the vehicle.
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Saturday, September 15th, 2018 AT 1:06 PM
Tiny
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Sure thing.
Vin: 3VWDP7AJ5DM212924
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Saturday, September 15th, 2018 AT 1:15 PM
Tiny
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I do not understand, I have no listing for the 8th digit J which is the engine code. Do you live outside the USA or is this an import if in USA?
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Saturday, September 15th, 2018 AT 1:37 PM
Tiny
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This vehicle was purchased in the United States at a Volkswagen dealership.
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Saturday, September 15th, 2018 AT 1:46 PM
Tiny
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I do not know what is up with it then to be honest, none of my wiring diagrams are matching up. Sorry.
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Saturday, September 15th, 2018 AT 2:03 PM
Tiny
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It is okay I appreciate the help. So I will try to find the electrical control module. It leaves the headlight switch at 12VDC but not making it to the lights. Side note. I ran a jumper wire from driver side taillight to see if it would turn on the passenger side. It did for a few seconds then both tail lights turned off. I had to turn key off and back on to get driver taillight back on. I definitely think it is a computer issue.
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Saturday, September 15th, 2018 AT 2:26 PM
Tiny
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Sounds like a plan, good luck.
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Saturday, September 15th, 2018 AT 2:32 PM
Tiny
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Okay so the problem is fixed now. Just posting this reply for future people who might have this problem. So to clarify The right brake and turn signal work but when I turn the parking lights on to drive at night the passenger tail light was completely out. Only turned on when brakes were press then off again

So I noticed the light on the dash that tells you a bulb is out was lit but no bulbs were broken or out.

So how I fixed it was I disconnected the positive cable off the battery. I went out to dinner for about an hour came back home and reconnected the positive cable to the battery and would you not know it. Everything works fine now. Turn the parking lights on for night time driving and both taillights working properly.

So if someone is having this issue and it is not a fuse or brunt out bulb. Try disconnecting positive cable from battery for at least fifteen minutes. Hopes this helps someone struggling with this issue like I was for several weeks and avoids being pulled over at night.
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Sunday, September 30th, 2018 AT 7:51 PM
Tiny
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Remarkable!
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Monday, October 1st, 2018 AT 9:02 AM

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