Rear running taillights stopped working?

STEVEGAMINGT

MEMBER
2004 CHEVROLET SILVERADO
4.3L
V6
2WD
AUTOMATIC
180,024 MILES

So, recently a friend of mine tried installing LED license plate lights since the old bulbs were going out. Doing so had caused something to where the only running lights that work are the headlights. The brake lights, turn signals and reverse lights all work properly, it's just the rear running lights. We tested the bulbs and sockets, they worked properly. All fuses looked fine. Thinking it may be the circuit board, I got a new one and that didn't fix it. Which is leading me to think it could possibly be the control switch on the driver's side. We had the control switch apart to check, and found the bulb inside completely melted. I'm just wanting to see if I could get a second opinion to see if I should get another control switch or not or if there is a certain way to test it or if you have any other tips or pointers, I'd appreciate it.

5 Replies

MIKE H R

MECHANIC
3,094 POSTS

Hi Steve, the LED lights use less voltage than regular bulbs. Some headlights have what they call plug and play. The taillight bulbs will not work if they are not put in the socket the correct way. Try test benching the lights on a bench with 12 volts. You will see that the lights will light when the voltage is reversed on the bulb. I found that when I put LED lights in my car. One way they worked and the other they did not. Reverse the bulbs in the sockets. Let me know how you make out.

Mike

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Thursday, September 29th, 2022 AT 7:56 AM

STEVEGAMINGT

MEMBER
3 POSTS

Checked both rear bulbs, the passenger taillight had a broken bulb and the housing around it was a bit melted. Maybe a new bulb might work, or it might need a new bulb socket. I had tried the other bulbs but put them in the other way and still no luck on running taillights.

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Friday, September 30th, 2022 AT 7:00 PM

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
108,300 POSTS

Hi,

I noticed that you haven't been contacted in a couple of days. Have you been able to make any progress? Also, I did read through your last post.

Go back to the fuse box under the hood. Check both fuses related to the rear parking lamps. In addition to checking the fuse, confirm there is power to and from the fuses.

If there is, then we need to check and confirm the power at the light sockets. I realize you indicated the sockets, fuses, and so on are working properly. We must be missing something simple because if there is power and ground at the sockets, the lights should work. I don't think it is a ground issue because the lights that are working share a common ground.

Let me know what you find. Also, let me know if you checked the parking lamp relay. If the front parking lamps work, then skip the relay.

Take care,

Joe

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Monday, October 3rd, 2022 AT 9:23 PM

STEVEGAMINGT

MEMBER
3 POSTS

I haven't checked the relays but will have to go back through to check fuses etc. I've had a temporary fix that works just fine, I basically had tapped into the trailer light power and the rear lights work just fine.

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Tuesday, October 11th, 2022 AT 6:57 PM

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
108,300 POSTS

Hi,

Good thinking. Hopefully, we determine it is something simple so you can get things back to the way it was designed.

Let me know what you find. I'm interested in knowing.

Take care,

Joe