Taillights not working, diagram needed?

1983 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE
3,000,002 MILES • 0.5L • V8 • 2WD • AUTOMATIC
Avatar
JUMUNJI
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
Taillights not working.
Apr 5, 2023 at 10:58 PM
Advertisement
Avatar
STEVE W.
  • ASE Certified Mechanic
  • 15,200 POSTS
  • ASE Certified Mechanic
The taillights all share a single feed, the brown wire. That wire runs from the light switch back to the lights. I would first check the tail lamp fuse, however if the front marker lamps work then the fuse is okay as it feeds them all. The next step would be to see if the ground at the rear failed. A simple way to do that is to pick any light that is easy to get to and use a pin to pierce the insulation on the black wire. Then take a piece of wire and connect one end to a good ground and then to the pin, do the lights come on? Repair the bad ground wire, it is at the left rear of the trunk bolted through the body. If they don't light up with a jumped ground, it is likely in the harness. Either a bad splice or a bad connector. Attached is the wiring diagram. All marker and running lamps use a brown wire for power.
https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-wiring
Apr 6, 2023 at 6:34 AM
Join 2CarPros for free, one of the most advanced car repair communities on the internet. From first-time drivers to seasoned mechanics, everyone is welcome to reply, share details, and get better answers. You can add a temporary image or video first; uploads are limited to 20 MB.
Ask a Free Question
Repair Safety Notice: This information is for general instructional purposes only. Vehicle repair can be dangerous. Verify all information, follow manufacturer service procedures, use proper tools and safety equipment, and consult a qualified repair shop when needed.