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Rear Turn Signal Problem

16K views 9 replies 2 participants last post by  Water Dog 
#1 ·
Yesterday, my right rear turn signal stopped working. Turns out the brake lamp in the same right rear also stopped working. I cannot confirm for certain, but I believe this happened at the same time.

-I've attempted to replace the bulb with a new one
-I've checked all fuses behind dash and under hood
-I removed a working bulb from the left rear lamp, and tried it in the right rear
-I confirmed ground within the lamp assembly (the outside of the lamp socket to the chassis)
-I manipulated the turn signal stalk (moved it slowly, then applied a bit more force)

So far, no dice. I ran out of light and time, but tomorrow I'll put a volt meter on the contacts in the bulb socket. I replaced the Jeeps multifunction switch about a year ago, for what that's worth.

Any other suggestions would be welcome. Thanks in advance-

Eric
 
#2 ·
If the brake and the turn signal is out on just the one side, but the tail light works on that side, it's most likely a bad connection in the back of the lamp holder, or a break in the wire that feeds it. Both the brake light and turn signal use the same wire and filament in the bulb.
 
#3 ·
I'm fricking stumped.

I have checked and replaced both bulbs in the right front turn signals. They both seemed fine before and after.

I'm able to measure [intermittent] voltage in the socket that won't light ONLY while I have the turn signal on...but there is no voltage in the socket when I only apply brake.

I have double confirmed the bulb works by switching it with the left rear brake/turn signal bulb.

Any suggestions welcome!
 
#4 ·
I replaced the multifunction switch (again) to confirm this isn't the issue. It's not. I've removed the rear tailight assembly. I can not see any wiring inside the bodywork, but cosmetically looks fine.

The female bulb socket 'exterior' is grounded, as is one of the two bulb contacts. This seems inline with my working turn signal.

No fun.
 
#5 ·
I suggest you check the connection inside the lamp holder for a broken/loose wire. Another possibility could be if you have trailer wiring, a wayward wire there. If both those things are okay, Pull the cover off the bottom corner of the tub where that tail light is and look up. There is a connector there for the tail light wiring...unplug it and see if you have voltage there.
 
#8 ·
The tail light is one filament in the bulb, and the turn signal/brake light is the other filament.

If you lay on the ground under that corner of the Jeep and look straight up you will see a fiber/cardboard/whatever cover on the back corner where the tub makes a radius from side to back. It is held in place by a couple of push in barbed plastic body fasteners. Pop those out, and it will fold down...it's the last part of the inner fender liner for the wheel well.
 
#9 ·
Water Dog for the win!

I feel bad for how many times you've had to repeat this... "The tail light is one filament in the bulb, and the turn signal/brake light is the other filament." I think I read that helpful advice in nearly every lighting thread here :)

So once I figured where the access to get behind the rear light assembly, I found what looked like an unnecessary plug harness. It was about 6 inches long, and had one of the wires poorly taped up. I assume this was for the trailer lighting harness at one time.

Either way, I removed the short extension, plugged my tail light assembly in, and bingo!

THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP!
 
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