Got pulled over for no taillights

Not an old vehicle...Towing Tail does not share vehicle Tail...

 

His condition is all lights but Side Markers. Unless I read the OP wrong. I see just one fuse. The 7.5 amp. It powers all the circuits. Wouldn't that discount the fuse? The circuits in question are the Turn, Tail\Side Marker. Which have Y and SB marked. Is that from the controllers/ECU?

 

You did.

Only the Parking/Tail circuit.

Simplified view...

 

So C10(B) Combination meter is the turn signal controller? Where does SB(Right Turn) and L(Left Turn) lead?

 

Well, it was definitely a blown fuse. Why the fuse blew I have no idea. All lights are working now, and I've tried all of the various combinations of turn, backup and different headlight settings on the stem. Nothing blew so I'm going to chalk it up as a damp plug after I washed the truck. I'll keep an eye on it for a few days or at least until I forget to check the marker lights.

Thanks everyone for the feedback!

 

Or 5-0 stops you for a courtesy ticket...

 

Well... It blew again Tuesday. I replaced the fuse and walked around the truck, again all the lights worked fine, so i walked around the truck tapping all of the lights and when I got to the left license plate light and gave it a couple of taps it went out, as well as all of the other lights. I replaced the fuse and they were all on again including the license plate light. Flicked it again and they all went out. Replaced the bulbs on both license plate lights and new fuse. Tapped light again and it didn't go out. I've been driving the last two days and all is well.

 

Maybe bad crimp on connector to licence illumination or a broke wire (internally).

 

After I pulled the bulb I tested it with my multimeter and it came back as an open short. I bet if it was a 10A fuse it would have burned the element more completely and been a little more straightforward as far as troubleshooting.

 

I'd keep looking for the cause...

 

Well Hopefully it is fixed .... my 10 cents ....

- If the light in question is a filament light - the light itself should act a fuse. The bulb should blow before the 7.5 amp fuse.

- There may be one common thing to the tail lights. IF I read the schematics correctly - the grounds are separated. Check the grounds on all the corner lights and plate lights. Disconnect, clean and reattach

- A Loose intermittent ground connect could cause a surge issue as it makes/breaks.

And .... What's and Open short ???
JMO
SteveC

 

I was curious too. Aren't those two conflicting comments?

 

Connectors to the rear licence illumination.
All rear circuits have one ground bolt location...BK bolt to frame.

 

I’ve had this issue before in a different make and model, there is a switch that the brake makes contact with that can brake. A sensor switch regardless of the brake wiring itself, if that switch brakes or malfunctions it will not control the lights. Had mine fixed about 6-7 years ago, a simple fix for maybe $40 bucks parts and labor.

 

So the brake switch in your vehicle 7 years ago was tied to the Parking/tail circuit?

 

I'm going to have to blame that on reading too many heavy equipment service manuals translated into Korenglish and Japenglish. LOL.

I'll try a wiggle test on harnesses this weekend when I'm under the truck.

 

If it was the brake switch would the park shift solenoid be affected?

 

I’m not sure of the entire circuit, but yes, the brake switch malfunction alleviated all of my brake light function. I am not sure of the parking light function, I caught it pretty quick while backing into a parking spot and looking for a reflection in the windows of the building.

 

It was a 2008 Mitsubishi Endeavor, not my pick, paid it off for my ex wife she got a new car and i got it and a month after bought a new Harley and a old triumph and living 5 miles from work and 200 yards from gym I rarely drove it.