tail running lights are out

[graystephen]

The running lights on my 1980 wagon are not turning on. Head lights work, turn Signals work, brake lights work, back up lights work.

To be more clear, when I turn the head light switch to the first position no lights come on front or rear, when I turn it all the way, the head lights come on but nothing else.

I have replaced both rear bulbs(front are fine), the headlight relay, and checked any fuses I can find and all look good.

I'm lost at this point and can't drive at night because of it, anyone have any suggestions or tidbits of info that only an experienced owner might know.


PS I have used the search function, got two results and neither have any relation to what I am asking about.

[corolla_nut_83]

So if all of your running lights are out I would say its a fuse problem. First thing I would do is change the "lights 15A fuse" in your fuse block with a known good fuse i.e a new or one that runs something else in the car that works. If that doesn't work I would make sure that your wiring harness in the rear of the car isn't smashed or broken. You might have a broken or open wire of some sort.

[hardtopte72]

Sounds like you have a bad switch that has failed internally. For some reason the power is not getting to the harness.

The long way is to check voltage at each connector for the running lights and at the switch. The short way is to simply replace the switch and see if it works.

[graystephen]

it ended up being the switch on the steering column, i figured it out months ago sorry for not updating.

sadly I actually had to sell the car. I got a '90 rx7 in place of it, wasn't going to have the money for all the body work it needed so badly. Fortunately it is now in the hands of a trusted friend who has good plans for it.


thanks for the tips.