Tail lights not working

videoguy009 · Posted: Wed Sep 30, 2015 4:08 pm Post subject: Tail lights not working

I put my tail light housing on today on the drivers side and plugged the wires into the proper sockets including the ground that I had marked.the signal light will flash only if I unplug the tail light and back up light.If I leave them all plugged in they all want to flash or pulse and are very dim.The license plate housing is a new install and the lights were both working but now the bulb on that side will not light.The tail light fuse keeps blowing in the fuse panel.I think it could be a short to ground but does anyone know where? To clarify, the signal light housing and bulbs always worked up until I had to remove it to touch up painted areas on the body and all I did was re install it and it is wired correctly.The license plate housing is a new used one with the ground and power wires attached to their correct terminals.The lights on the passenger side work fine and the bulb in the license plate housing on that side is lit.
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1971 Super Beetle

motorhead364 · Posted: Wed Sep 30, 2015 6:08 pm Post subject:

Probably a ground.
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63 ghia coupe

thruhiker74 · Posted: Wed Sep 30, 2015 8:58 pm Post subject:

My guess is within the license plate housing, somewhere between the two lights, if that's where the problem seems to start. Perhaps some unshielded wit touching the body in there somewhere?

WooleyNelson · Posted: Thu Oct 01, 2015 7:05 am Post subject:

new paint is an excellent insulator! you said you touched up some paint.

make sure all ground wires have bare metal available where they attach to the body.

sjbartnik · Posted: Thu Oct 01, 2015 7:18 am Post subject:

grounds grounds grounds grounds textbook grounds problem. This is for the part with bulbs not lighting and weird dimness.

The other part of the problem is yeah you have a short to ground somewhere on a power wire for the tail light. No one can tell you where it is, you're just gonna have to find where it's pinched or touching ground.

Then ground your taillights to that point because at least you know it's a good ground Very Happy

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1965 Volkswagen 1500 Variant S
2000 Kawasaki W650

videoguy009 · Posted: Thu Oct 01, 2015 8:58 am Post subject:

Thanks everyone.Found the bad ground.
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1971 Super Beetle


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