Taillight do not work, headlights do not turn off?

BOB ELLIS

MEMBER
1997 CHEVROLET TRUCK

The taillight won't come on The turn signals/emergency flashers/backup lights work fine, checked the bulbs and fuses, they are fine. Headlights come on when I start the car, and cannot be shut off without shutting off the car they should have to be turned on on a 97. High/low beams are Ok Also the dashboard lights are out. I ordered and installed a new headlight switch, no change. Any ideas? Or does this need to go to the shop? Thanks

1 Reply

DANNY L

MECHANIC
5,648 POSTS

Hello, I'm Danny

Your truck has the DRL option- daytime running lights which means even during the daytime the headlights will come on automatically when you start the truck. As far as the taillights and dashboard cluster lights not working you might have an open wire in both circuits. Here is a wire testing tutorial:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-wiring

First thing I would test would be the fuses in location #4 and #9 in the instrument panel fuse box and circled in green. Here is a tutorial on how to test and replace fuses.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-a-car-fuse

I've attached below pictures of the fuse locations and the wiring diagrams for the taillights and instrument cluster. I've cut the diagrams into three pieces so you can view larger. Hope this helps and thanks for using 2CarPros.

Images (Click to make bigger)