Tail lights not working

Tiny
SCHROEDERT95
  • MEMBER
  • 2006 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 22,000 MILES
The rear tail lights does not work. I replaced the bulbs and still does not not work. What could be the problem?
Saturday, January 27th, 2018 AT 9:43 PM

4 Replies

Tiny
CARADIODOC
  • MECHANIC
  • 33,879 POSTS
Hello,

There are three fuses to check in the TIPM, #3, 33 and 17 here is a guide to help test and the fuse locations as well in the diagrams below.

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

Do the license plate lamps work? What about the front running lights? If the license lamps do not work too. start by checking the fuses in the "TIPM", Totally Integrated Power Module. That is the under-hood fuse box. The listings under the cover can be confusing and the fuse that affects the tail lights might be involved with other circuits, so it is possible it is not labeled as the tail light fuse.

The fastest way to check the fuses is to turn on the ignition switch and the head light switch, then take voltage readings on the two test points on top of the fuses. If you find zero volts on both test points, that circuit is turned off and is not related to this problem. If you find twelve volts on both sides of a fuse, that one is good. You are looking for a fuse that has twelve volts on one test point and zero volts on the other one.

If the fuses are good chances are the TIPM is out but easy to replace because it self initializes. Here is how to replace it as well.

Check out the diagrams (Below). Please let us know what you find.

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Sunday, January 28th, 2018 AT 6:18 PM
Tiny
SCHROEDERT95
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 2006 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER
  • 23,000 MILES
Brake lights, tail lights, parking lights and license plates light not working! It appears rear bulbs got wet while driving in a heavy rainstorm. Replaced rear bulbs. Brake lights work, tail lights, parking lights and license plates lights still not working. Checked fusing in TIPM found no blown fuses. Tried a hard reset of TIPM by disconnecting the positive and negative battery terminal and shorting them out. Brake lights still work, tail lights, parking lights and license plates lights still not working.
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Tuesday, April 24th, 2018 AT 5:01 PM (Merged)
Tiny
PATENTED_REPAIR_PRO
  • MECHANIC
  • 1,853 POSTS
Tail lights and parking lights mean the same thing, unless you mean the front parking lights also do not work but still the tail lights are the parking lights.
When you checked the fuse did you use a voltmeter or at least a twelve volt test light and check both sides of the fuse? If not, do that first.
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Tuesday, April 24th, 2018 AT 5:01 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JDBEAULOYE
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
I got a used TIPM from the junkyard for $100.00 worked perfect. The fuses were good in my car BTW.
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Monday, March 23rd, 2020 AT 12:05 PM

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