Electrical issue with my lights.

[dvici01]

Hi, new here so if this has been covered please direct me to the correct area.
I just picked up an 85 swb custom. Lost (only to the rear) brake lights, turn signals rear hazards and no dash lights.
I have rear driving lights only. Have hazards, headlights and turn signals up front.
Where should I start, fuses for lights are good.
Thanks

 

[Chevy 88]

If all else fails, you can run a jumper wire from a working one to a non working one. Front left turn signal to left rear turn signal. This is not an ideal solution, but it does work - usually.

 

[Ricko1966]

Ignore this bad,wrong information^^^^^. Driving atthe moment.explain later

 

[Ricko1966]

Okay have twisted the headlight knob to see if the dash lights are dimmed off? As for the rear. Make sure the bulbs and sockets are good and clean. Make sure the outside rim of the socket has a path to ground. Take a multimeter set to ohms scale check resistance from outer rim of the bulb socket to frame. Should be 0 or dam close to zero. Take your meter in volts scale ground 1 lead of your meter to the frame, wedge the brake pedal down,check for 12Volts on the 2 bulb contacts in the bulb socket with your other meter lead. Post your findings. As for running a wire from the front to the rear. The rear turn signal and brake light use the same filament ,the turn signal switch breaks contact to the brake light bulb on one side when the turn signal is on. Bare minimum issue you will have is front signal bulbs will light everytime you step on the brakes. That's minimum,with the funky backfeed ground on the front markers and turn signals I have no idea what other madness coukd be unleashed,as well as what other madness will ensue when you turn on the front turn signal which will power the rear turn signal but backfeed the turn signal switch and feed who knows what. The things I said to check will give us a lot of information,and if not enough to solve the problem at least it will give us a direction as to where to go next.

 

[Jgonick]

brake lights, turn signals rear hazards all go through the turn signal switch.

Make sure your turn signal switch connection is seated properly. Just in case you don't know - It is knee level on right side of steering column. I attached a picture also just in case you aren't familiar with the connection.
(dark green wire runs to right tail light and yellow wire goes to left)

Dash lights- unsure about-

 

[Jgonick]

Also - here is a link to get the wiring diagram- It will be useful

LINK-Wiring diagrams

 

[WFO]

Have you checked the plug in connector in front of the rear bumper, on the driver's side, for voltage?

 

[Ricko1966]

brake lights, turn signals rear hazards all go through the turn signal switch.

Make sure your turn signal switch connection is seated properly. Just in case you don't know - It is knee level on right side of steering column. I attached a picture also just in case you aren't familiar with the connection.
(dark green wire runs to right tail light and yellow wire goes to left)

Dash lights- unsure about-

Not my first suspicion since the fronts work. Thinking is we should work from the rear and work our way to the switch,if rule out everything from the sockets to the switch,it has to be switch. JMHO,adding input,not confrontation. Conversely he could check all inputs and outputs at the switch then we'll know it is at the switch or after the switch. I still like starting at the rear and working forward.

 

[idrivea2002golf]

There's a connection at the rear bumper for all the tail lights. Have you checked to make sure it's snug? I suspect it is because the parking lights work, but it could be partially disconnected.

There's also a ground behind the driver side tail light assembly. Again, you have parking so I'm not confident it's this, but make sure it's clean and well seated.

Jgonick is correct though, all these go through the turn signal assembly. It's possible the rear lights aren't connected correctly.

Also, check the fuse block. The lights are on different fuses but I can't remember what lighting is on what fuse. I just know there's more than one for the system.

 

[Ricko1966]

It is not a fuse.

 

[Jgonick]

Conversely he could check all inputs and outputs at the switch then we'll know it is at the switch

That’s the direction I was thinking- if he “Lost” both sides at the same time I was thinking a connection or the switch. Plus Both the drk green & yellow wire are on the same edge of the turn switch connector. (Thus my suggestion on making sure it was seated properly)

 

[Sad Sack]

Not my first suspicion since the fronts work. Thinking is we should work from the rear and work our way to the switch,if rule out everything from the sockets to the switch,it has to be switch. JMHO,adding input,not confrontation. Conversely he could check all inputs and outputs at the switch then we'll know it is at the switch or after the switch. I still like starting at the rear and working forward.

I had a date like that one time...

 

[dvici01]

Hey guys thanks for all your help. I checked all fuses first (removed and reinstalled) and poked and prodded all connections and terminals and you mentioned and now all is working again. Only issue, so far, are dash lights are so dim it is hard to see and read when dark. Maybe a bad switch?
Just picked this up over the weekend, been sitting for a couple years so needs some carb work and a good cleaning.

 

[jplourde]

I know it sounds crazy but try turning to knob for the headlights?

 

[Cyrillious]

Hi, new here so if this has been covered please direct me to the correct area.
I just picked up an 85 swb custom. Lost (only to the rear) brake lights, turn signals rear hazards and no dash lights.
I have rear driving lights only. Have hazards, headlights and turn signals up front.
Where should I start, fuses for lights are good.
Thanks

Check wiring from firewall to the tailgate. I had a similar issue but only the right rear tail light. Running lights only worked. I found a green wire corroded in half. Repaired and now lights works.