Auto Parts: Plymouth Voyager left tail light not working, plymouth voyager, fuse blocks

Question
I have a '99 Plymouth Voyager and the left side tail light doesn't work. I have changed the light assembly and have changed the bulbs, the brake light and turn signal work on the left side but the parking light does not.

Answer
Hello John,

This is a common problem with older vehicles.

The problem you have described, given the circumstances noted in your message, makes me believe that your problem is not in the bulb or the assembly but in the wiring itself.

What i recommend is the following:

1. Remove the left side taillight assembly from the vehicle so that you have access to the wiring harnesses connected to the bulbs.
2. Find the wire that supplies power to the parking light bulb.  Using a test light, ground the test light clip and then insert the tip of the test light into that wire, now turn on the parking lights and see if the bulb in the test light lights up.  If it does not then your problem lies somewhere in this wire.

If the test light does not light up, then do the following.

First check the fuse that supplies power to the parking lights in your vehicle, it will be located in one of the fuse blocks in the car.  NOTE HERE that there may be more then one that handles this job, for instance one for the right side parking lights and on for the left side parking lights.  Ensure these fuses are good, if you are not sure if they are good or not, replace them with a fuse of equal amperage. Once you have done this, recheck the light with the test light to see if the bulb will light up when the parking lights are on.

If it still will not light up, then you will need to trace this wire from the parking light back to where it ends in the vehicle.  Somewhere along the way there will be a break in the wire or an area where the wire if frayed and touching metal causing it to ground out.

NOW ON THE OTHER HAND:

If the test light does light up, but the parking light doesnt, then you most likely have a bad ground going to the bulb.  Check the grounding wire at the light, and then continue to trace it backwards to its grounding point until you find the break.

Please let me know your progress on this, and i will assist you further in any way possible.

Thank You.

Good Luck.