I had been dealing with issues with my right tail light for the past few month. Last night I got pulled over for it. Got a warning, but that's also a warning that I should get it fixed.

This is the problem:

1. Right tail light is out, along with the right-rear marker light.
2. Front driving light works just fine (they're on the same fuse).
3. The tail light worked on and off for a month before it finally went out.
4. I cleaned all the connectors in the socket and replaced all the bulbs.

My question:

1. What's my next step for finding the problem without taking off the bumper?
2. If I take off the bumper, what should I expect for time to get it on and off?

86.5 928.

 

turn the lights on
have someone watch the light while you reach up and under and wiggle the connectors.. if it turns on it's likely a loose connection and you may (fingers crossed) be able to get it to stay on

otherwise you very well may have to take off the bumper, I'm in this same situation right now with the 77 and specifically don't drive it night if possible

taking off the bumper is a PITA.. not as bad as door locks but almost

 

Possibilities include:
- bad ground connection (take the bulb out, check for 12 vdc on the bulb terminal to a good ground. If you havepower, but the bulb doesn't light, it's probably the ground.
- bad connection at the bulb check unit.

 

Make sure it is the correct bulb, try a new one anyway. Make sure it is inserted correctly. Check the power as suggested above. Check the ground with a ohm meter. If open, it will never work even if power is present. Use some emery paper to clean the socket and an eraser to clean the contact. Make sure the contact is sprung forward enough to contact the anode on the bulb. Put a wrench on the ground lug, better, remove it and clean under it.

 

There is a ground point behind the right rear side panel corner, close to where the tool cover is. If you remove the screws from the rear side panel you should be able to pull it back far enough to access it. Yours is probable really dirty, just like mine was. My right tail light would work once in a blue moon until i cleaned this ground post, and presto! works just fine now.

 

I believe there is a connector in the tire well you might want to check out as well.

 

This tool was quite good for the job:


Especially passenger side was difficult:
http://kotinetti.suomi.net/jari.toiv...r/Dsc00457.jpg
http://kotinetti.suomi.net/jari.toiv...r/Dsc00481.jpg
http://kotinetti.suomi.net/jari.toiv...r/Dsc00462.jpg

 

I took the bumper off over the weekend. Took about 4-5 hours, after a short run to get some tools (flex extender).

When I was scraping out the dirt from under the gas tank fill hose, the light came on for a minute or two, but then hasn't worked again. Is there a ground under there that I can't see?

 

Gotta love those little 8mm(?) nuts and washers.
For all the aggrevation/angst while looking at the Gas tank filler tube and leather flap to include the retaining ring the job wasn't that bad. 1 1/2 - 2 hours. This includes dropping the exhaust.
Unfortuneately, the job was for naught.
No wiring problems and of course the sockets were brite and shiny to begin with.
Brake light warning and loss of brake lights cured itself after months of Multi meter work and wire tracing. Though finding that the (alledged) autobody shop had RIPPED both taillight assemblys out
then reinstalled with 3 inch sheetrock screws which sliced thru the insulation on multiple wires was a part of the problem.