Dodge tail lights

super99 · Jan 18, 2015

I have a RUSTY 97 Ram 150 that is severly rusted. The drivers side tail light and both of the backup lights don't work. The brake lights, turn signals, and passenger side tail lights work. I replaced the bulb and they still don't work. My first thought is ground since it is so rusty, but why would some of the lights work and not others if it was the ground? What should I check next?? Thanks, Chris

T in NE · Jan 18, 2015

Sounds like you get to chase some wires. Backup lights could be a switch or bad wire, one tail light could be a wire or a socket. Check for power at the sockets and continuity to a good ground point.

Big Mike · Jan 18, 2015

If it's RUSTY, could be a bad GROUND....

ss55 · Jan 18, 2015

Is there voltage at the socket?

PJH · Jan 18, 2015

I use a redneck method to check for bad ground at a light socket. If you have a scrap piece of wire about 30' long, you can visegrip one end to the negative battery post, and use the other end to poke in the edge of the socket by the bulb. Bulb lights up = bad ground. It's almost too simple. A drop cord will work, with a simple adapter on the female end for contact.

ArleninOr · Jan 18, 2015

Chris,check the plug in connectors at the rear of your truck.I think there is one for eace taillight assy.Mine did the same thing and I ended up finding a new harness.Connector were rotten.

DDMN · Jan 19, 2015

Chris,

I have to agree with arleninor. Seem like my '91 did the same thing. I'm thinking the older trucks (Dakotas and Full size) were the same connectors but had longer wires for the full size trucks, if I recall my bulb holders rotted away and quit before the plug went bad but when I changed the harness, I found a bad connection there that wouldn't have lasted much longer.

I do know for a fact that the de-icing juice the states have taken to spraying on the roads will find any bad spot in the wiring for you, been there, done that.

Good luck
Matthew

Dodge tail lights

super99

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T in NE

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Big Mike

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ss55

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PJH

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ArleninOr

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DDMN

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