QuestionThis is a second shot, and update: "I am driving a Mazda e2000 delivery van on a contract parcel delivery run and about a week ago, on the way to the postal facility for the day's mail sort about 5am, the tail light warning indicator on the dash came on. On inspection, I found that both tail lamps had ceased working.
Rear number-plate lamp still worked ok, brake lights still worked ok, reversing lights still worked ok, blinker and hazards still worked ok, headlights -- hi & lo -- still worked ok, and the 10 amp fuse related to the tail light circuit was found to be intact (even though a tried out a virgin new one just to make sure).
The vehicle is in very sound and clean shape, with absolutely no rust (or [well, till now] any bodgy wiring work, etc, either) and still no tail lights -- and I'm starting to get a little "conshie" about it before sunup and after sundown, should a cop notice it and defect me before I manage to get this problem sorted out.
Probably worth mentioning also is, about three days prior to that, the trailer light connection plug under the tow bar took a pretty heavy blow, leaving it in a pretty shattered/cracked-up condition (will definately require a new one). 'Wondering if that could possibly have anything to do with the problem at all?
An update since originally asking the above is: on the weekend I removed the normal tail-light fuse from the van's fuse box and rigged up a "jury circuit" from the positive battery terminal, which runs to the back of the vehicle, and then (via two wires from a connector) to connect with the appropriate power wire of both tail lamps in each tail unit's cable-coupling (and also incorporating an inline 10amp fuse and on/off switch at the driver's end). At least this has restored tail-light illumination for the time being (just gotta remember to turn them off individually when I turn the headlights off) -- and ceased being traffic cop bait at night too -- but I would be most greatful if you might be able to provide a solution to the main problem of why the tail- lamps just stopped working when both lamps and the vehicle circuit fuse are fully functional.
One thing I did observe (if it helps in anyway at all) when rigging up this temporary jury circuit, was that (although I rigged a distributer wire to both) both right and left tail lamps still illuminate anyway when just one of them is supplied with aternative power.
Cheers.
AnswerThis is definitely a tricky one. You seem to be mechanically inclined though, so perhaps we can figure it out together.
First, I know it sounds silly, but it is a good idea to make sure that he hazard switch is turned off. This will some times cause problems.
I know that it is unlikely that this unit still works, but it would be interesting to see if the trailer connector is still getting a signal. You could test it with a simple test light. Also, since you already know that you need to replace the trailer wiring connector, it is probably ok to just remove it for now. In fact, it's probably a good idea. Considering the blow that it took, this could conceivably fix your problem.
If removing the trailer connector does not take care of the problem, try using your test light to see where you do and do not have power. Either start at the front of the vehicle (under the dash, in and around the fuse box under the hood, in and around the interior fuse box, in the steering column, at the brake light switch etc.) and work your way back until you find where the circuit goes dead, or start from the back and work forward.
Feel free to ask any more questions that you may have.
