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Tail lights

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Offline Chaotic

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Tail lights
« on: June 13, 2011, 07:09:04 PM »
I have a 90 Samurai and at the moment all the lights are working except for the tail lights parking lights and side markers. the turn signals, brake lights, and emergency flashers as well as the head lights all work fine. I at first thought it was the combo switch, replaced it still the same result. I checked all the fuses in the fuse box and they are all good (replaced the ones that i thought were iffy). I have also checked to see if i was getting voltage in the switch. when the lights were off i had power, but when i turned on the lights to parking and full head lamps i found no power. I know there is a fusable link in the line but i would have no power if it were bad. Am i missing something .

Please help. ???

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Offline wildgoody

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Re: Tail lights
« Reply #1 on: June 13, 2011, 09:01:13 PM »
Sounds like the grounds, check them behind the lights, remove the screws,
clean under the screws and put them back on and give it a try

Suzuki lights are strange to American thinking, the wires are hot and the light
comes on when you flip the switch and it grounds the circuit, that's why you
had power when they were off

Wild
Real Trucks Are Built, Not Bought,
And Chrome Don't Get Ya Home.  

An armed man is a citizen. An unarmed man is a subject.

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Offline Jluck

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Re: Tail lights
« Reply #2 on: June 13, 2011, 09:09:08 PM »
Also if your housings are just shot, you can get very nice replacements off eBay for pretty cheap.I ordered a set for a friend and it cured all his issues.
life is 10% what happens to you and 90% what you do about it!

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Offline Chaotic

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Re: Tail lights
« Reply #3 on: June 14, 2011, 06:09:45 AM »
Ok so i think i am at full understanding. I will do your suggestions and i greatly appreciate the help.

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Offline Chaotic

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Re: Tail lights
« Reply #4 on: June 14, 2011, 06:24:41 AM »
I am not sure if this has anything to do with it but my insturment panel lights are not working as well. When i turn on the parking lights and head lights in the low beam position my bright light indicator is on.

Thanks again

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Offline Drone637

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Re: Tail lights
« Reply #5 on: June 14, 2011, 10:23:21 AM »
This is usually caused by a bad ground or a crossed wire.  I would check your grounds under the dash.
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Offline Chaotic

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Re: Tail lights
« Reply #6 on: June 15, 2011, 06:27:16 AM »
OK all thank you for all your assistance. I have tried everything mentioned and even replaced some iffy connectors on some ground wires. I still see the same issues and now the bright light indicator is on at all times even with the key off and out. If you have any further ideas i am all ears.... next step is a mechanic and i do not look forward to that...

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Offline wildgoody

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Re: Tail lights
« Reply #7 on: June 15, 2011, 07:45:35 AM »
Does it look like anyone has added any wiring to the existing system?
Any added relays or lights or for that matter any electric changes, or
added a tachometer ?

Just thinking, BTW how long have you owned the vehicle?

Wild
Real Trucks Are Built, Not Bought,
And Chrome Don't Get Ya Home.  

An armed man is a citizen. An unarmed man is a subject.

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Offline Chaotic

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Re: Tail lights
« Reply #8 on: June 15, 2011, 08:06:25 AM »
I have owned this Samurai for almost 2 years. this issue just started when i replaced the dash. still have the same insturment panel and all just different dash. there were fog lights on the front bumper but i did not like the look of them and removed them at the same time i replaced the dash. they were direct connect to the battery through a switch though.

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Offline wildgoody

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Re: Tail lights
« Reply #9 on: June 15, 2011, 09:35:23 AM »
Were there any ground wires going to the dash?
I kind of want to say the replacement has had something to do with it,
but I have never pulled the dash on a Samurai so I'm not sure what's
under there that could be a problem, but I would also think about pinched
wires too, or a wire that got skinned on some sharp metal edge

Real Trucks Are Built, Not Bought,
And Chrome Don't Get Ya Home.  

An armed man is a citizen. An unarmed man is a subject.

Re: Tail lights
« Reply #10 on: June 15, 2011, 09:48:23 AM »
I had the following.  Someone put a single filiment bulb in one of the taillights.  It caused a lot of issues.  It can short the parking light and brake light systems so check the bulbs and make sure double are double and single are single.  Also I had the hi beam indicator come on due to a blown fuse for the parking lights so double check that.

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Offline Chaotic

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Re: Tail lights
« Reply #11 on: June 15, 2011, 10:00:49 AM »
OK, I will look at this again. I don't think that swapping the dash had anything bad to do with it but i will check all the wires again to make sure. If you all think of any thing more all suggestions are more than welcome.

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Offline Jluck

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Re: Tail lights
« Reply #12 on: June 15, 2011, 10:23:25 AM »
Check the electrical green sheet on the back of the cluster for corrosion,damage or mice chew marks.
life is 10% what happens to you and 90% what you do about it!

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Offline Chaotic

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Re: Tail lights
« Reply #13 on: June 15, 2011, 11:16:28 AM »
Check the electrical green sheet on the back of the cluster for corrosion,damage or mice chew marks.

Sorry what and where is the electrical green sheet.

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Offline Jluck

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Re: Tail lights
« Reply #14 on: June 15, 2011, 01:37:40 PM »
Check the electrical green sheet on the back of the cluster for corrosion,damage or mice chew marks.

Sorry what and where is the electrical green sheet.

if the Sammy's have one like trackicks it on the back of the gauge cluster. it is how the electric current is run to all the gauges and lights. I'm sure theres a more correct name for it I just don't know what its technically called.
life is 10% what happens to you and 90% what you do about it!