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Well, let's take this in seperate parts.
On the licenseplate lights, there is only one wiring lead that goes down there. Comes in on the right side, and jumps over to the left. But they are seperate from the tail lights.
The wiring harness for the tail lights comes down the left side of the truck, and then Y's off at the back to go to either side.
And you have replaced the bulbs or at least swaped the bulbs from side to side (just because a bulb is new, doesn't mean it's good) to test what is good, and what isn't.
Brake/running light bulbs will fit into the socket either way, but they only work if they are in the correct way. (you might want to try turning the bulb around in the socket).
From there, get a 12v circuit tester, and check the power to the sockets. You also want to test the ground to the socket.
This is a 8yr old truck, and there is a chance that 1) the socket is bad 2) there was damage to the wiring that goes to the tail light 3) both of the above.
Once you establish power and ground, then you start looking for unusual things.
Try the tips mentioned, and let me know what you find.
Comments:
Aug 07, 2008
- Glad it works.
I have a 99 and it's strange that they would change the license plate wiring like that (I did go out and look at mine before I wrote that).
That's kind of unusual for that ground to corrode through like that, unless they salt the roads where you live, but that would explain why it did what it did. While you're under there, I would suggest looking at the other side to make sure it's not working on doing the same thing. You also might want to spray some undercoating in those areas (after they are cleaned to a degree) to protect against any other future problems.