Last Updated on May 9, 2023 by Ryan
Tail light circuit boards can go bad for a variety of reasons. Sometimes, the problem is simply a blown fuse. Other times, it may be a loose wire or connection.
Still other times, it may be a faulty bulb. If the tail light does not work at all, the first thing to check is the fuse. If the fuse is good, then check for loose wires or connections.
Finally, if all else fails, replace the tail light bulb.
If your car has a bad tail light circuit board, you may notice the following symptoms:
1. The tail lights may flicker or fail to turn on altogether.
2. The brake lights may stay on even when the brake pedal is not being pressed.
3. The turn signals may not work properly, or they may only work intermittently.
4. The rear window defroster may not work properly if at all.
5. All of the above mentioned problems can be quite dangerous as they can make it difficult for other drivers to see your car, especially at night or in poor weather conditions.
If you suspect that your car has a bad tail light circuit board, it is important to have it checked out by a professional as soon as possible so that these vital safety features can be repaired or replaced if necessary.
Tail Light fault, How To Repair (basic electrical diagnosis)
What Does Tail Light Circuit Board Do?
A tail light circuit board is responsible for controlling the brake lights and turn signals on a vehicle. It is typically located in the rear of the vehicle, near the taillights. The circuit board consists of a series of bulbs and wires that are connected to a central control unit.
When the driver presses the brake pedal, a signal is sent to the control unit which activates the appropriate bulbs on the circuit board. This allows other drivers to know that the vehicle is stopping. Similarly, when the driver turns on the turn signal, a signal is sent to the control unit which activates the appropriate bulbs on the circuit board.
This allows other drivers to know that the vehicle is turning.
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Does One Fuse Control Both Tail Lights?
One fuse does not necessarily control both tail lights. Depending on the vehicle, there may be a separate fuse for each tail light or the left and right sides may share a single fuse. It’s important to consult your car’s owner’s manual to determine which arrangement is in place for your particular make and model.
In some cases, there may also be a separate relay that controls power to the tail lights; again, your owner’s manual will have this information.
How Do I Know If My Tail Light Socket is Bad?
If your car’s tail light isn’t working, it could be because of a problem with the socket. Here’s how you can tell if your tail light socket is bad:
First, check to see if there is power going to the socket.
You can do this by using a voltmeter or test light. If there is no power, then the problem is likely with a fuse or relay.
Next, check for continuity between the terminals on the socket.
If there is no continuity, then the socket is most likely defective and will need to be replaced.
How Do I Know If My Tail Light Fuse is Blown?
If your tail lights have stopped working, it’s possible that the fuse has blown. Here’s how to check:
First, locate the fuse box.
It should be under the hood, near the battery. Once you’ve found it, open the lid and look for a diagram that shows which fuse corresponds to the tail lights.
Once you’ve found the right fuse, use a multimeter to test it for continuity.
If there is no continuity, then the fuse is blown and will need to be replaced.
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Tail Light Not Working on One Side
A taillight not working on one side can be caused by a few different things. The most common cause is a blown fuse. Other causes could be a break in the wire leading to the light, or a burned out bulb.
If you have checked the fuse and it is not blown, then the next step would be to check for a break in the wire. You can do this by using a multimeter to test for continuity between the two wires that lead to the taillight. If there is no continuity, then there is likely a break in the wire and it will need to be replaced.
If you have continuity between the wires, then the next step would be to test the bulb. To do this, you will need to remove it from the socket and use a multimeter to test for continuity between the two terminals on the bulb.
88-98 Chevy Tail Light Circuit Board
If you have a 88-98 Chevy truck and your tail lights have stopped working, it may be time to replace the tail light circuit board. This is a relatively easy fix that can be done at home with a few tools.
First, you’ll need to remove the old circuit board.
There are four screws holding it in place, two on each side. Remove these screws and carefully pull the board out. You may need to wiggle it a bit to get it free.
Next, take your new circuit board and line it up with the holes in the taillight housing. Screw it in place using the four screws you removed earlier. Tighten these until the board is snug against the housing.
Now, reconnect your taillight wires to the new circuit board. Make sure they are tight so they don’t come loose over time. Once everything is connected, test your taillights by turning them on and making sure they work properly.
If all looks good, you’re done!
How to Check Tail Light Wiring
Are your tail lights not working? It could be a problem with the wiring. Here’s how to check the tail light wiring:
First, make sure that the fuse for the tail lights is not blown. If it is, replace it with a new fuse.
Next, use a voltmeter to test the voltage at the tail light socket.
With the ignition on, there should be 12 volts present. If there is no voltage present, then the problem is likely in the wiring between the fuse and the socket. Check for any loose connections or damaged wires.
If there is voltage present at the socket, then use a test light or voltmeter to check for power at each of the wires going to the taillights themselves. One wire will be for ground, and one wire will be for power (this will vary depending on whether your vehicle has separate brake and turn signals).
One Brake Light Not Working But Bulb is Good
If you have a brake light out, it’s important to take care of it right away. Not only is it illegal in most states to drive without all brake lights working, but it’s also unsafe. If one of your brake lights isn’t working, but the bulb is good, there are a few things that could be causing the problem.
First, make sure that the socket that the bulb plugs into is clean and free of corrosion. If there is any build-up on the contacts, it can prevent the current from flowing and cause your brake light to stay off. You can clean the socket with a wire brush or by spraying some electrical contact cleaner into it.
Next, check the fuse for your brake lights. If it’s blown, replace it with a new one of the same amperage.
If neither of those solutions fixes the problem, then you likely have an issue with your vehicle’s wiring.
It’s possible that a wire has come loose or been damaged somehow. This is a more complex problem that will require professional help to fix properly.
How to Check Your Tail Lights by Yourself
Your car’s tail lights are an important safety feature, and it’s important to make sure they are in good working order. Here’s how you can check your tail lights by yourself:
First, park your car in a dark area so you can clearly see the tail lights.
Then, turn on the ignition and engage the parking brake. Next, put your head behind the tail light assembly and look for any cracks or damage.
If everything looks okay, then move on to testing the bulbs.
First, locate the fuse box and find the fuse for the tail lights. Then, use a test light or voltmeter to test whether power is reaching the bulbs. If not, then replace the fuse and try again.
Finally, turn on your taillights and step back to see if they are working properly. If not, then you may need to replace one or both of the bulbs.
How to Fix Brake Light Wiring
If your brake light is out, it’s likely because of a problem with the brake light wiring. Fortunately, this is relatively easy to fix yourself. Here’s how:
First, check the fuse for the brake lights. If it’s blown, replace it and see if that fixes the problem.
Next, check the bulbs themselves.
If they’re burned out, replace them with new ones.
If neither of those solutions works, then the problem is likely with the wiring itself. You’ll need to trace the wire from the fuse box to the brake light switch and then on to the brake light bulb socket.
Look for any signs of damage or fraying along the way.
Once you’ve found the problem spot, simply splice in a new section of wire and secure it with electrical tape or wire connectors. That should fix your brake light issue!
Dodge Ram Tail Lights Not Working
If you have a Dodge Ram and your tail lights are not working, there are a few things that could be causing the problem. First, check to see if the fuse for the tail lights is blown. If it is, replace it with a new one.
Next, check the bulbs themselves to see if they are burned out. If they are, replace them with new ones. Finally, check the wiring to see if there is any damage or loose connections.
If you find any damage, repair it or replace the damaged wires.
How to Tell If a Brake Light Bulb is Blown
Brake light bulbs are an important part of any vehicle – they help ensure that drivers behind you know when you’re stopping. But brake light bulbs can sometimes blow out, and it’s important to know how to tell if this has happened.
There are a few signs that may indicate a blown brake light bulb:
-The brake light on your dash board is illuminated
-The brake light stays on even when the car is turned off
-You notice that one of your tail lights is out
If you suspect that a brake light bulb may be blown, the best way to check is to use a test light or voltage meter. With the car turned off, disconnect the wiring harness from the bulb socket and touch the metal tip of the test light to the exposed wire. If the test light illuminates, then power is reaching the socket – meaning the problem is likely with the bulb itself.
To check if voltage is reachingthe socket another way, use a voltmeter set to DC volts. Touch one lead ofthe voltmeterto the metal tip ofthe exposed wireand touchthe other leadto ground. Ifyou geta readingof 12 volts or less,then poweris notreachingthe socketand further diagnosis will be needed.
Conclusion
When a car’s tail light circuit board goes bad, the driver may notice one or more of the following symptoms: dimming or flickering lights, erratic behavior from the brake light switch, blown fuses, or melted wires. If any of these problems are noticed, it’s important to take the car to a mechanic as soon as possible to have the circuit board checked and replaced if necessary.
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