Hi, its been quite a while since I last posted ('86 6.2L Diesel 4x2 n/a, auto, completely stock), here's my situation:

I have NO rear lights... none! Headlights work fine; signal lights and flashers work inside the truck (but not when I turn on the headlights), but nothing outside, either side front or back, no backup lights, no brake lights, no nothing! I don't know what happened, or what's wrong... I reinstalled the backup light switch (was off the steering column) and replaced a broken backup light bulb on the dr side and now nothing... by the way, I get continuity between the + & - at the rear tail lights (all on both sides:turn signals, backup lights, brake lights).

How do I check/fix this???? All fuses inside are good. I do have some experience with electrical and have a digital multimeter. The chilton manual doesn't go into very much detail on electrical or wiring/lights.:mad:

Check your grounds first.

Check to see if you have +12v at the appropriate wire when the park lights are on etc.

Brown -tail lights
green - right turn
yellow - left turn
light green - backup

If you have no power at the lights, follow the wiring back and look for damaged wiring. It is pretty common for wiring to get beat up from rocks and stones. Especially if someone has added in trailer wiring. I'll bet you'll find the problem pretty quick when you get under the truck.

Ok Max, there's no voltage at the lights, I'll trace it back and yes, I was under there before and yes, it looks like someone added in some rear facing lights on the bumper (now removed) and trailer wiring. One thing about doing your own repairs, you get VERY familiar with your own truck.

Thanks, (I think your avatar is GREAT!) "the unknown trucker"?

Check your grounds first.
Check to see if you have +12v at the appropriate wire when the park lights are on etc.

Brown -tail lights
green - right turn
yellow - left turn
light green - backup

If you have no power at the lights, follow the wiring back and look for damaged wiring. It is pretty common for wiring to get beat up from rocks and stones. Especially if someone has added in trailer wiring. I'll bet you'll find the problem pretty quick when you get under the truck.

Ok, I've got power at all the appropriate places, the only time my rear lights come on is if I have the truck turned off and the headlights on and use the turn indicator, then all my rear lights (except the backup lights) flash like I'm using my hazzards!

Anyway, I wanted to know, is there supposed to be a ground to the frame on BOTH the left & right tail light assemblies? Because I found one (that I checked and fixed) on the driver side, but don't see one on the passenger side (although there is a hole in the same place as the driver side that I would assume is for one).

Will let y'all know how it goes (working in the dark last night with my trouble light and snowing).

Each light socket has a ground. Each light needs to be grounded! The flashing lights indicate a lost ground. The ground wiring may be tied together for all the rear lights. Trace all the black ground wiring from the lights to where they are attached to a ground. You may find they connect within the harness and then one black wire goes out to the frame. Check all the ground wiring.

Thanks, (I think your avatar is GREAT!) "the unknown trucker"?
Max Power is the BEST, Best avatar and best advise!!!:thumb:

Each light socket has a ground. Each light needs to be grounded! The flashing lights indicate a lost ground. The ground wiring may be tied together for all the rear lights. Trace all the black ground wiring from the lights to where they are attached to a ground. You may find they connect within the harness and then one black wire goes out to the frame. Check all the ground wiring.Thanks for the added clarity, between yours, Max's, and my brother's advice I solved the problem... yep a bad ground at the tail light assembly. Sheesh, what a deal and solved with maybe $.50 worth of parts: a new end soldered on the ground wire, some sandpaper and a little grease!

Thank you all!:D

Max Power is the BEST, Best avatar and best advise!!!:thumb::offtopic: Max has helped me plenty before... I bow, humbly.:hail:

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