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I'm having a strange tail light issue that I'm hoping somebody might have some ideas for solving.
Problem: my left (drivers) side tail light LEDs don't work; however, the brake light LEDs, side markers, and blinkers do work. All right lights work as well so I know this is not a fuse #4 issue.
What I have done:
1. purchased a new LED light board as my first guess to solving the problem without tearing into the car for the initial time. I was hoping to solve the problem in one try and the LED board seemed the most obvious solution based on other peoples problems.
2. turns out I have no voltage for the tail light wire (red/black)- based on probing the wires coming into the connector. I wound up using the new board since I already replaced it.
3. inspected wire of tail light connector at at first plastic clip and wire assembly, removed the large concordian wire protecter and the red/black wire appears fine all the way to the connector. With the side marker working, I'm very tempted to tap into that wire to reroute power to the tail.
4. since I did replace the light board preemptively today, I confirmed the new board works by attaching light to right tail connector and checking it that way.
It would appear to be a left tail light only circuit issue. Any ideas what to check for now- it sure seems like the wire is bad; however the shop manual references a left tail relay that I'm not sure where to even look for that.
I guess if I can't solve the issue myself, I could go to the dealer. This would be first problem I would be taking my car in for in 9 years so I guess it's time. At least, they won't charge extra labor for diagnosing and taking my bumper off and interior trim- already did that stuff.
I have untaped lots of wire accordion protectors and still haven't found a break in wire. Since the side marker works and has a dedicated wire, I think I'm going to use a Quick Splice to tap into that good wire to power the tail light so I can put my trunk back together.
The quick splice did the job- you need an 18-22 gauge splice to do trick.
Here's a picture of 'fix':
I used the blue tape only to mark the good wire. One hint is to drill out the barrel that has the plastic stop in it. This way you place splice on both wires and don't have to cut the bad wire. I'll wash the car and check for any leaks in the tail light area and then put the trunk interior back together.
Ironic, I'm having the same exact. I thought about the splice option as well. Thx for pic, it's nice to know it'll work. Hopefully I can figure out the problem
I would recommend you buy a new brake switch and see if it helps. Sometimes when the brake switch is on the way out it'll cause an issue. Also you can try the light control module under the hood and swap it out with one from a junkyard/salvage car. Same with the brake switch. Tapping may lead to more electrical issues.
