Running tail light problem

CALEB VARGA

MEMBER
2000 CHEVROLET S-10
2.2L
4 CYL
RWD
AUTOMATIC
219,900 MILES

I just put new aftermarket tail lights on my truck. Before I put them on all of the bulbs worked perfectly. Now with the new tail light covers on, the passenger side running tail light only works sometimes. For me to get it to work again I will have to take the tail light cover off and shake the bulb/wiring for it to work again. Is this a wiring problem or do I need a new bulb?

Wednesday, July 12th, 2017 AT 12:09 PM

1 Reply

STEVE W.

MECHANIC
15,233 POSTS

Sounds like the sockets are corroded or the wiring to them is, actually common for this to happen over time. Check the socket first, if it's corroded, replace it. Another test if it's out. Give the light housing a good whack with your hand while it is still installed. If the light comes back on you have a bad bulb or socket. If it doesn't then pull the light out, take the brown wire with white stripe and move it around and see if the light goes out in one spot, also pull on it in both directions to see if it is a bad connection or the wire is corroded inside the insulation.

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