Taillights not working

Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
Yes it cold be the bcm but if no power going to relays they won't work either.
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Monday, October 29th, 2018 AT 12:48 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JOWOODS1999
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  • 15 POSTS
So first, I discovered my test light bulb was burnt out. Changed that and got a lot of answers but still not brake lights. I got three mechanics stumped plus me. Everything from the BCM to all that is behind the left rear quarter panel all the way in to the tail light plug has power and works fine.
Now the actual tail lights still only up the running, blinker, and parking lights. Still no brake lights. I'm not sure if I should replace the plug or the tail lights them selves since they have wiring side the plastic that I cannot reach.

I read someone talking about an extra ding when you first start the vehicle could mean bad tail light plugs. I thought it did that for my ABS sensor, but it's fixed and still does it. Also I cannot find the correct wiring diagram to install a new plug. No idea what to do next.

Any ideas would be really appreciated!

Thanks!
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Monday, October 29th, 2018 AT 12:48 PM (Merged)
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
A good ground on your test light and see if power is going to the socket for the brake lights and other lights. See pic for color of wires to check the wht/brn is for stop lights on left side and right side is org. Also relays are in lh quarter panel for these ut if yo have power to brake light wire they should be ok. These could be above wheel well so a panel will need to be removed to access them.
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Monday, October 29th, 2018 AT 12:48 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JOWOODS1999
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  • 15 POSTS
New Tail lights solved the problem!
Picked them up today and that fixed it. I'm assuming the last owner for some reason or another put on the wrong ones. Because the ones on there had 4 prongs for the plug and the OEM were 5. I changed to a 5 prong lamp and they are working perfectly!
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Monday, October 29th, 2018 AT 12:48 PM (Merged)
Tiny
KARL HENRY
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Hey, I know this is an old thread, but in case you are looking for a fix for your town&country/caravan 2001-2007 tail lights, you may want to hear my story. My symptom was the old quick flashing of the turn signal. We had no illumination for a left rear turn signal or brake light. I used a voltmeter and could see 12 volts making it to the body side wiring harness. I could see continuity to ground through the body side harness. In other words, everything looked fine! Ah, but the taillight itself. I removed the two bulb holders and tried to read continuity from the tail light wiring harness to the little metal contacts that make the circuit to the bulb holders. I could only get continuity if I scratched hard with the meter lead. I then cleaned all the contacts on the tail light side and the bulb holder side(s). I carefully bent out the contacts on the bulb holders. I applied bulb grease to the bulb holder side contacts and reinstalled the bulb holders. Hey presto, the turn signals worked. You will notice I fixed this with a piece of fine sandpaper, a screwdriver, and some bulb grease. I did not buy new taillights. Not throwing stones. Just trying to save the next guy some money and frustration. Good luck!
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Wednesday, March 4th, 2020 AT 10:26 AM
Tiny
NATHAN TUTTLE
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Hello all. I know this thread is old. I am having the same issue. I fixed the front left turn signal by stripping the ground connection and re-soldering the joint. Now I have no left rear turn signal.

It is possible that I didn’t have a good joint on the black green wire that supplies ground to the rear but I think it is good. I have checked all fuses.

There was a mention of a fuse in the left quarter panel but I am not sure how to access it on my 2005 town and country. Anyone know how or should I just check the rear light for a faulty ground?

Solved!

Right after my post I couldn’t handle it anymore. Went back and pulled out the bulbs.

If you look at the images you will notice that the right terminal was a little corroded. Just took the edge of my screwdriver and peeled off a little of the gunk. Worked like a charm!

I wonder if bulb grease would make them brighter.
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Monday, May 18th, 2020 AT 3:46 PM
Tiny
KASEKENNY
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,907 POSTS
Thanks for the update. That is great info. All too often people discount the importance of the connection points. This is a great example of how important they are. Great work and thanks for sharing.
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Thursday, May 21st, 2020 AT 5:04 PM

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