What do I look for when I have stop lamps but no taillights?

Use a test lamp to identify the functions of each vehicle wire and join to the appropriate tail lamp wire. There is likely to be one wire for each function of tail lamp, turn signal, stop lamp and reverse and one ground wire - connect the ground first and it will be immediately obvious as the others are connected whether you got it right.

Have you checked applicable fuses for everything except head lamps? The headlamps themselves don't use a fuse. Check the battery junction block under the hood, one of your positive battery cables should go to junction block. If several fusible links check them. My info shows red wire carries battery voltage to head lamp switch for headlamps. The headlamp switch has two voltage circuits, mainly, one for the head lamps, for the other lamps that the switch controls, those smaller lamps are fuse protected.

1. Remove the two small Phillips head screws holding the inside edge of the Taillight assy (you have to open the tailgate)

2. Pull straight back on the Taillight assy levering most of your pressure to the outside edge.
(There is two peg like things [top and bottom of the assy]stuck into a tight fitting hole in the body, so it will take some effort, as they are pretty snug..but, they should eventually pop out)

(Put a dab of vasoline on the pegs before you stick them back in, this makes future entries easier)

3. Twist each lamp base 1/4 turn CCW and the lamp base/holder will come right out of the Taillight assy.

4. While grasping the bulb, Pull straight out from the base..Insert new Bulb.
(Spray a little lubricating contact cleaner in the socket and on the bulb base, before you put the new bulb in.)

5. Add a little vinly/rubber spray protectant to the rubber gasket on the base.

6. Re-install Lamp and base into Taillight assy using a 1/4 turn CW twist of your wrist

7. Align the pegs on the Back of the Taillight assembly with the mating holes on the body.

8. Gently, but firmly smack the Taillight assy with the heel of your hand,to seat the pegs.

9. Re-install and tighten the two screws and go wipe off the finger prints and smudges from Taillight assy lens.

Please don't forget to rate! Thanks!

1. Disconnect the negative battery cable.
   
2. Remove wing-nuts attaching tail lamp to rear closure panel.
   
3. Remove lamp from opening in quarter panel.
   
4. Disconnect wire connector from back of tail lamp.
   
5. Remove tail lamp from vehicle.
   
6. To install, reverse removal procedure.
   

Locating wing nuts (2) in the trunk (1)

Removing taillight (1) and connector (2)

Identifying taillight components

The first thing to look at is the fuses located under the drivers side steering wheel (near your left foot) there is a plastic cover, remove the cover and look at the diagram on the back side of that plastic cover. Pull the taillight fuse and replace it with the same number identical fuse and your door chime, rear taillights will come back to life. Also check each taillight bulb, sometimes when one of them burns out then all of them stop working.

Here's a great video that will show you how to remove the taillight bulbs through the trunk.">

Look for a fuse that is labeled "Exterior lamps" or "Rear Lamps"


-KC GTO Dad

the fuse for the tail lamp/instrument cluster may be bad.