'08 Type S left tail light & license lights not working???

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Old Mar 24, 2015 | 10:06 AM
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'08 Type S left tail light & license lights not working???

My 2008 TL Type S just started having this issue. My left rear tail light isn't working (break light works fine) as well as my license plate lights aren't working as well.....I know its probably a wiring issue but wasn't too sure where to begin. I',m assuming under the carpet in the trunk lid???
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Old Mar 24, 2015 | 11:07 AM
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Actually you'll have to remove the trunk lid liner to access the wiring
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Old Mar 24, 2015 | 01:48 PM
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I just noticed the left rear side marker isn't working too. I just pulled the trunk lid liner and shook all the wires hoping to see if things lit up. Nothing. Any advice as to specifically where I should be looking?
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Old Mar 24, 2015 | 02:17 PM
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Originally Posted by RROMAN8435
I just noticed the left rear side marker isn't working too. I just pulled the trunk lid liner and shook all the wires hoping to see if things lit up. Nothing. Any advice as to specifically where I should be looking?
Here's the wiring diagram. You'll need it.





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Old Mar 24, 2015 | 02:21 PM
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Thanks for the diagram. I feel for sure its a loose/shorted wire. I noticed a few weeks ago the lights were out but when I closed the trunk, they started working again. Like a wire is loose somewhere. Problem is I don't know where to look....
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Old Mar 24, 2015 | 02:32 PM
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Originally Posted by RROMAN8435
Thanks for the diagram. I feel for sure its a loose/shorted wire. I noticed a few weeks ago the lights were out but when I closed the trunk, they started working again. Like a wire is loose somewhere. Problem is I don't know where to look....
Start by the red/black wires in the trunk, as per the diagram. Or the G701/G604 grounds.


Edit: Forgot the grounds page, my bad haha!
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Old Mar 24, 2015 | 05:53 PM
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Trying to eliminate possible issues. If the ground wasn't connected properly, would the brake light still light up when I hit the brakes? Thinking of going to a shop for them to check the power in the wires etc.
would it be a possibility that the actual board in the tail light is bad causing the other lights to malfunction?
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Old Mar 24, 2015 | 06:25 PM
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Originally Posted by RROMAN8435
Trying to eliminate possible issues. If the ground wasn't connected properly, would the brake light still light up when I hit the brakes? Thinking of going to a shop for them to check the power in the wires etc.
would it be a possibility that the actual board in the tail light is bad causing the other lights to malfunction?
Yes, it's all possible, which is why I uploaded the ground connections so you can check yourself if the grounds are still good. If you have absolutely no idea how to check for that, then I'm sorry to say but you'll have to learn or bring it to someone. That said, you have as much information as necessary to troubleshoot this. Check the cables, use a multimeter/continuity tester if needed to see if the ground is working properly.
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Old Mar 25, 2015 | 12:17 PM
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Just incase anyone else ever has this issue (seems like it could be quite possible due to the way Acura wired the trunk) I found and fixed the issue. Inside the trunk, on the drivers side, I pulled back all the carpeting. The wires ran from the trunk lid which run down the left arm of the trunk lid and ran behind that carpet piece. There was a factory installed zip tie which was putting tension on the wire harness every time I opened and closed the trunk.....eventually this put lots of tension on the wires. I found two of them were broken completely (a red wire & a blue wire). I fixed these wires, put a new zip tie and some electrical tape and all good to go. Thanks polobunny for the help!
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Old Mar 25, 2015 | 12:57 PM
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Glad you got it sorted out fairly easily.
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Old Apr 5, 2015 | 12:19 PM
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Thanks RROMAN8435,
I had 5 broken wires at that zip tie in the trunk. I lost a backup light then a tail and marker and the trunk release button was getting intermittent.
You saved me a lot of work.
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