1998 Chevrolet Silverado Tail Lights

SILVERADO98

MEMBER
1998 CHEVROLET SILVERADO
5.7L
V8
4WD
AUTOMATIC
21,800 MILES

Tail Lights work fine without headlights on. When Headlights are on the left turn signal will blink fast and illuminate the reverse lights on both sides, and when pressing on the brake. The top bulb will also go out on the left side and the bottom bulb will illuminate when when brakes are applied with lights on.

5 Replies

CARADIODOC

MECHANIC
33,873 POSTS

This is typical of a broken ground wire on one of the sockets. You can verify that by observing the symptoms will change when you remove what appears to be a properly-working bulb on the other side.

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Sunday, July 27th, 2014 AT 12:50 AM

SILVERADO98

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3 POSTS

Is it possible that my trailer light adapter on my truck is causing a short or would that be out of question

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Sunday, July 27th, 2014 AT 1:39 AM

CARADIODOC

MECHANIC
33,873 POSTS

If it worked before, it didn't suddenly start causing a problem, but what I'd look for first is if any wires were attached with Scotch-Lok connectors. Those don't seal out moisture, and will lead to corroded wires.

If your adapter is simply plugged in to existing plugs, those do have rubber seals to keep water out, but I'd still pop them apart to look for corroded terminals.

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Sunday, July 27th, 2014 AT 1:57 AM

SILVERADO98

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Ok I asked because I just recently noticed some wires that became disconnected from each other about the same time the problem occurred just wanted to make sure it wasn't a coincidence

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Sunday, July 27th, 2014 AT 2:09 AM

CARADIODOC

MECHANIC
33,873 POSTS

If they're related to that adapter or are near the rear of the box, you may have found the cause of the problem. If any wires were recently cut, you can splice and solder them back together. If they corroded apart, water will have gotten into the insulation and the wires will be dark brown. You have to cut the ends back until you find nice shiny copper wire to solder to. Solder won't adhere to the dark stuff. Splice in a piece of new wire if you have to, then seal all the solder joints with heat-shrink tubing. The best stuff has hot-melt glue inside to really seal out moisture.