Rear tail light issue
Moderator: Site Administrators
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- Satellite Sebring (RH)
- Posts: 62
- Joined: Thu Oct 25, 2012 2:37 pm
- My Cars: Present: 1971 Plymouth GTX
Past: 1970 Dodge Coronet 500
1973 Dodge Charger SE
Rear tail light issue
My GTX passenger tail light is acting weird. The running lights work, but no turn or brake. Replaced all the bulbs no change. I thought maybe ground was bad, but then the running lights work so it cant be that. Maybe socket? Has anyone had similar issues? Any help would be appreciated.
Re: Rear tail light issue
Go with your first hunch. Check the ground.
-Jim
"I can fix it... my old man is a television repairman... he's got the ULTIMATE set of tools... I can fix it."

"I can fix it... my old man is a television repairman... he's got the ULTIMATE set of tools... I can fix it."
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- Satellite Sebring (RH)
- Posts: 62
- Joined: Thu Oct 25, 2012 2:37 pm
- My Cars: Present: 1971 Plymouth GTX
Past: 1970 Dodge Coronet 500
1973 Dodge Charger SE
Re: Rear tail light issue
Does not seem to be a ground issue. I thought maybe the sockets were bad, but both going out at same time seemed weird. I started to look at harness, but quickly became confused with brake and turn wires using one lead. Not sure how that works. Any clues?
Re: Rear tail light issue
There is a ground lead screwed to the body inside the trunk. Next to the side marker if I recall correctly Make sure it is in good contact.
What you are describing is what happens when you don't have a good ground. The running lights ground themselves by back feeding through the turn signal circuit.
What you are describing is what happens when you don't have a good ground. The running lights ground themselves by back feeding through the turn signal circuit.
-Jim
"I can fix it... my old man is a television repairman... he's got the ULTIMATE set of tools... I can fix it."

"I can fix it... my old man is a television repairman... he's got the ULTIMATE set of tools... I can fix it."
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- GTX (RS)
- Posts: 526
- Joined: Sun Jan 22, 2012 10:17 pm
- My Cars: 69 Coronet 4 door.71 Road Runner. 71Dodge Tradesman 100 Van. 75 Dodge Dart. 95 Dodge Neon.
- Location: morristown,tn.
Re: Rear tail light issue
Remember the light sockets are 40 years old,and the springs and so forth inside the sockets can corrode,causing problems.Also after years of vibration the led things where the bulb makes contact can be wore out.
71 Road Runner - J68
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- Satellite Coupe (RL)
- Posts: 10
- Joined: Sat Oct 01, 2011 12:42 am
- My Cars: 1971 Plymouth Satellite Sebring Plus 318
1970 Plymouth Road runner
2009 Dodge Challener R/T
Re: Rear tail light issue
I had the same identical problem with my 70 road runner. You have to replace the turn signal collar switch behind the steering wheel in the column ( the wiring harness runs down inside the column and connects to another connector underneath dash. the brake lights and turn signals and hazzards all run off it. U may still be able to find a replacement part. its the same replacement part for 80's dodge ram trucks with column. u will have to shave the hazarrd button so that it will fit when depressed.
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- Satellite Sebring (RH)
- Posts: 62
- Joined: Thu Oct 25, 2012 2:37 pm
- My Cars: Present: 1971 Plymouth GTX
Past: 1970 Dodge Coronet 500
1973 Dodge Charger SE
Re: Rear tail light issue
Thanks for all the help. Ground in trunk was in good shape. I guess I have to either pull the rear bumper and take a look at housing closely or pull steering wheel to check turn signal ring. The GTX needs a new rear bumper, so maybe I'll just pull it off and check lamp housing. I will let everyone know what I find out. Maybe upgrade to the LED bulbs while I'm at it.
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- GTX (RS)
- Posts: 104
- Joined: Sat Sep 22, 2012 10:56 pm
- My Cars: 1971 Roadrunner.
- Location: Long Beach, CA
Re: Rear tail light issue
Before you pull the entire bumper, there are a couple of connectors which are located approximately behind the license plate opening. It is possible that your plate mechanism may have caused one of these connectors to come loose while putting in fuel.
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- Satellite Sebring (RH)
- Posts: 62
- Joined: Thu Oct 25, 2012 2:37 pm
- My Cars: Present: 1971 Plymouth GTX
Past: 1970 Dodge Coronet 500
1973 Dodge Charger SE
Re: Rear tail light issue
I did do a a check of all the rear wiring starting in the trunk. It all looks good.Got power going all the way to trunk, so I guess that means the housing is probably the issue. Thought I found a new bumper yesterday to replace mine, turns out a 72 is not the same as a 71. Thanks for everyones help.