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No Tail Lights

Tiny
CARADIODOC
  • MECHANIC
  • 33,873 POSTS
The first suspect is the head light switch, ... More specifically burned contacts and overheated connector terminals. An additional clue might be the dash lights also don't work. Next would be a broken wire or corroded connector terminal, but the location would have to be pretty limited to affect all the individual lights.

Don't overlook something as simple as a blown fuse. This is a better suspect if you have a trailer wiring harness on the car.
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Monday, June 1st, 2020 AT 1:30 PM (Merged)
Tiny
NTPAT
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1992 LINCOLN TOWN CAR
Electrical problem
1992 Lincoln Town Car V8 Two Wheel Drive Automatic

I need the wiring for the lighting system

updated:

tail lights and brake lights
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Monday, June 1st, 2020 AT 1:31 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JDL
  • MECHANIC
  • 16,098 POSTS
Welcome to the forum, wiring diagram for which vehicle system? Ignition--fuel-- other?

The autozone site has free wiring diagrams. You have to register the vehicle, but, it is free. Then Click on vehicle repair info.

I'd be glad to post a diagram, if I can find it, just need to know what system.
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Monday, June 1st, 2020 AT 1:31 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JDL
  • MECHANIC
  • 16,098 POSTS
OK, can you be a little more specific? Headlights-- tail-lights-- brake lites-- dash lites-- interior lites?
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Monday, June 1st, 2020 AT 1:31 PM (Merged)
Tiny
CARL RANEY
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
  • 1992 LINCOLN TOWN CAR
  • V8
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 160,000 MILES
No exterior lites working, checked all bulbs, replaced head lite switch, still no exterior lites. While replacing head lite switch all running lites came on temporary. After relacing head lite switch only one front running lite works. Tested orange/black incomeing power wire ok. Pin H on lite switch has power when switch is on, no power when turned off. What do I do now? Please HELP me. Carl
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Monday, June 1st, 2020 AT 1:31 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BMRFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
  • 19,053 POSTS
Crown Victoria, Grand Marquis & Town Car
Potentiometer is attached to headlight switch. Unplug potentiometer connector.
Connect self-powered test light between connector circuit No. 57 (Black wire) and switch bracket.
If continuity does not exist, replace potentiometer. If continuity exists, go to next step.
Continuity should exist between connector circuits No. 220 (Dark Blue/Orange wire) and 57 (Black wire) after rotating autolamp control switch knob from OFF to ON position.
Measure resistance between circuits No. 217 (Dark Blue/Orange wire) and No. 57 (Black wire) while rotating switch from OFF position to maximum time delay. Resistance should gradually increase from 2500-4500 ohms (OFF position) to 140,000-260,000 ohms (maximum time delay).
If test results are not as specified, replace potentiometer assembly.


https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/99387_lin_1.jpg



Unplug connector at autolamp relay.
Connect test light between ground and Red/Yellow wire.
Voltage should be present with switch in ON position.
If voltage does not exist, repair Red/Yellow wire to headlight switch and to high-low beam relay


https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/99387_li_1.jpg

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Monday, June 1st, 2020 AT 1:31 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BMRFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
  • 19,053 POSTS


https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/99387_link_1.jpg



https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/99387_link1_1.jpg



https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/99387_link2_1.jpg

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Monday, June 1st, 2020 AT 1:31 PM (Merged)
Tiny
CARL RANEY
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
First I want toThank you for all your help. If I wasn't strapped for money I would've paid more for your service. I'm very pleased. We have successfully completed potentiometer test and have continuity and ohms.I see autolamp delay switch-- can you help me find autolamp relay switch so I can unplug connector and connect test lite between ground and red/yellow wire where I hope to find voltage while switch is on. If no voltage found you say repair red/yellow wire at head lite switch and high/low beam relay, do you mean run a jumper wire (different wire). Thanks Carl Raney
- Show quoted text -
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Monday, June 1st, 2020 AT 1:31 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BMRFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
  • 19,053 POSTS
Try looking Behind left side of instrument panel, above steering column

If cannot locate the short replacing the wire would be the easiest to do
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Monday, June 1st, 2020 AT 1:31 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RONDECKER
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 1987 LINCOLN TOWN CAR
I have a 1987 Lincoln Towncar that has developed a problem with the tail lights: they aren't on. The brake lights and turn indicators work but not the tail lights. Also, the light over the license plate is out.

I've replaced all the fuses and bulbs but still have the same problem. The fuse that handles the tail lights also handles other things and all the other things work okay.

I'm dumbfounded. Any suggestions?

Best regards,
Ron Decker
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Monday, June 1st, 2020 AT 1:31 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
You probably lost the ground circuit-because if its short to ground it will blow the fuse-also could be an open circuit to the T/lites. Start by removing carpet and look for a quick disconnect going back to the lites. Test for power.

BTW do you have parking lites up front?
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Monday, June 1st, 2020 AT 1:31 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RONDECKER
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
You probably lost the ground circuit-because if its short to ground it will blow the fuse-also could be an open circuit to the T/lites. Start by removing carpet and look for a quick disconnect going back to the lites. Test for power.

BTW do you have parking lites up front?[/Quote:60ed3eba6c]

Yes, I have all the other lights as well. I'll take a gander at the under-carpet wiring. Also, when I left work yesterday my battery was dead. I got a jump and as I was waiting the handles on the jumper cables began to melt! I disconnected the batteries and looked around and finally found the headlights were pulling a lot of amps and they weren't on!

In any event, I got the car started and drove about a mile when the transmission gave a rather loud hiccup and died right in the middle of Houston traffic. I cruised to a gas station where I parked and eventually got the car home later that evening.

I am as perplexed as a man can be about all this. It seems the new problem just sort of popped up (don't know if that's possible) all on it's own.

Thanks for the suggestions; I'll give it a try and let you know what I find.

Best regards,
Ron
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Monday, June 1st, 2020 AT 1:31 PM (Merged)

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