Help! Tail Lights don't work!

[atroby91]

Last night my friend noticed my tail lights were not on even thought my headlights were on. I have no idea what the deal is. I also noticed when i turn on the parking light switch on the top of the steering column that none of the lights that are supposed to be on turn on. The weird thing is, the brake lights still come on when i hit the brakes..

This feels like a fuse problem to me but all of the fuses are still good.
I'm stumped so any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

[evolutionmovement]

You have a wiring issue with the taillights, perhaps more. You said none of the lights turn on with the steering column top switch? Do the parking lights work at all or are the only lights you have headlights and brake lights? Blinkers? The more lights don't work, the more likely it's the switch. Does the car have lots of rot that can cause corrosion or has it been messed with wiring-wise? If so, time to play with a test light or multimeter.

[atroby91]

Double checked the lights. The corner markers do not turn on with the headlights but the signals do work. The side running lights on the Fender also do not work.

[NuclearBacon]

I also just had this same problem!!! I gave a guy a jumpstart the other night, and since then (not sure if the problem happened before that) but no tail lights! exactly the same symptoms! Could it be that switch on the top of the column? or the turn-me-and-the-headlights-go-on switch?

[ericem]

I also just had this same problem!!! I gave a guy a jumpstart the other night, and since then (not sure if the problem happened before that) but no tail lights! exactly the same symptoms! Could it be that switch on the top of the column? or the turn-me-and-the-headlights-go-on switch?

Was your car on when you jumped the other guys car?

Maybe the bulb burnt out as you said just when you apply the brakes it works.

[NuclearBacon]

My car was on when i jumped the other guys car... I jumped it correctly, same way i've done it a hundred times.

I still have interior lights, i still have dash lights. Oh!! I took a NEW trunsignal light, and put it in the turnsignal bulb socket, and it worked as a turn signal ONLY. no illumination when the headlights were just on.

I tested the fuse, its just fine. I dont think i burnt out both fender lights (side markers), both my running lights for my tail lights, and the first fillament in my turn-signals. I dont think it could be 2 burnt bulbs, and 4 halfway burnt bulbs (only the first filiment on my turn signals for the front, and the brake light running light part, not the step-on-my-brake-and-it-lights-up light.

...still think its the switch? i also played with the top switch about 30 times, and nothing happens. my car is kept in a garage, and it hasnt rained for quite a whle...and im in california... Possibly the headlight switch still?? do i just pick up a new switch housing? (that has the wipers, turn signals ect)????

This sucks!

[magicmike]

Did you check the fuses under the hood?

[NuclearBacon]

So i checked the fuses under the hood. all AOK. I turned the switch on the parking lights, and heard nothing, clicked it onto headlights, and heard the solonoid (relay) click. i turned it all off and checked the center relay. i swear i felt it slip back into place. clicked the switch to parking, heard a relay fire... and there they were. taillights. i want to say i hit the relay with my foot, but after trying to recreate it, theres no way. ....my roomate has been borrowing my many subarus though cuz his POS ford thunderbird has electrical problems. GO FIGURE!!!!!!! maybe he did it. i'll blame him.

but im fixed! woo!

[northcoast]

Dragging up this old thread because I'm having the same symptoms.I can't get the relay out to test it. Any ideas, hints, or suggestions?

[Legacy777]

Is it just the running lights or brake lights included? Does anything else work like the reverse lights or turn signals?

[northcoast]

Everything works. I know the bulbs aren't burnt out because they come on when I hit the brakes. (even the corner markers)

[mike-tracy]

It's still possible the tail lights are burned out. They use 2 filaments per bulb for those.

[silver03]

I had this issue last summer on my father in laws 96 Legacy wagon and it was the relay that was bad. the one I replaced was one of the three (IIRC) on top of the under dash fuse box.

[northcoast]

Replaced the relay but it still doesn't work. However, if I turn the parking switch on it does.

[Legacy777]

That's pretty weird.

You're 100% positive all the fuses are good?

Do you have the wiring diagrams?

http://www.main.experiencetherave.com/s ... agrams.zip

If not, or even if you have the Haynes or Chiltons, I'd suggest looking at the FSM scans to see if anything pops out at you. Without some more testing at certain spots, it's going to be hard to narrow things down.

[northcoast]

Have diagrams. No fuses blown. Started working again randomly after a couple of starts and swapping relay.