NO tail, side mrks, or pk lights?! *NOT the mfs or harness!

acr2002 · Post by **acr2002** » Fri Dec 10, 2010 9:44 pm

Got pulled over tonight for no tail lights. Nice cop, didn't give me a ticket-just told me to get it fixed.

Anyhow, I figured it would be the 15a fuse, but no dice. The fuse is fine and I tried a different 15a one just to be safe. Messed with each of the bulbs and the sockets/wiring harnesses. Still nothing. The brake lights work along with the emergency flashers (how I got home tonight).

I know it probably means there is a "short" somewhere, I was just wondering if anyone has ever had this problem and can give me an idea of where to start.

Thanks in advance.
Jonathan

ZeroChad · Post by **ZeroChad** » Fri Dec 10, 2010 9:57 pm

A lot of lighting problems like this end up tracing back to the multifunction switch on the left side of the steering column.

acr2002 · Post by **acr2002** » Fri Dec 10, 2010 10:32 pm

ZeroChad wrote:A lot of lighting problems like this end up tracing back to the multifunction switch on the left side of the steering column.

Is that under the dash or in the engine bay? Is there any way to test it without trying a new one?

Johny · Post by **Johny** » Sat Dec 11, 2010 5:02 am

Under the dash, open it up and see if the connections are burned. If they are, thats probably youre problem. I had to change mine too recently cause my fogs weren't working right

acr2002 · Post by **acr2002** » Sat Dec 11, 2010 9:26 pm

Welllll,
I don't know if I found my lighting issue, but I know I just messed up my car even worse....

I swapped the multifunction switch out (I happenned to have an extra one lying around) and tested it, but same issue was there. So doing some research, I figured it might be the connector to the switch. So I inspected it and the little red tab that goes across the end of the connector and holds it together is cracked and is allowing the wires to slide out. I pushed them in the best I could, but now I am afraid driving around the car might do something weird. Either way, I will have to get this fixed before I can drive my car, but I don't know if that was the issue. I messed with all of the wires and nothing made the lights work.

Oh well, guess I will be driving the 16 mpg truck til I have time to order a new harness and wire it up. Doesn't look fun from what I have read....

Post by **occasional demons** » Sat Dec 11, 2010 10:49 pm

Use a zip tie to keep the connectors together, until you can get a repair harness.

The BK/YL wire is the feed for the fronts/tails. Check the grounds in the trunk also, especially if the front marker lights are working.

A bad fuse would kill both front and rear.

acr2002 · Post by **acr2002** » Sat Dec 11, 2010 11:02 pm

occasional demons wrote:Use a zip tie to keep the connectors together, until you can get a repair harness.

The BK/YL wire is the feed for the fronts/tails. Check the grounds in the trunk also, especially if the front marker lights are working.

A bad fuse would kill both front and rear.

Thanks man-I checked the grounds I was able to see, but I won't try to diagnose it til I fix the harness. The front marker lights were not working either. I checked ALL fuses that run near that switch and all looked good. I will update this once I get the new harness installed. Any idea of the best place to order it? I very much dislike the dealership near me.

Reading all of the complaints here, SRTforums, neons, dodge forum, etc. it kind of upsets me that Dodge never recalled this harness and switch.

Post by **occasional demons** » Sat Dec 11, 2010 11:13 pm

The grounds in the trunk are near the top of the quarter panel, about where the trunk hinges are, IIRC. The "carpet" needs pulled back to see them.

acr2002 · Post by **acr2002** » Thu Dec 16, 2010 2:01 pm

OK guys I really need some help!!

I replaced the harness with the kit that Mopar sells (what a p.i.t.a.)...my connector was definitely faulty (looks like it got really hot and was crumbling), but-

STILL no tails/front markers/side markers!

I don't know what to do next. I took out the fuse block to make sure the wires going to the back were still connected and they looked fine. And I tried my extra multifunction switch with the new harness. Nothing.

ANY ideas!!!!?????????????????

acr2002 · Post by **acr2002** » Thu Dec 16, 2010 5:56 pm

bumping cuz I REAALLLYYY need some help!!! ANY suggestions~???

Post by **occasional demons** » Thu Dec 16, 2010 7:00 pm

Hmmm, if you have a test light, you may need to see what is actually coming in/out of the MFS connector. Tracing the wires until you find where the power stops. A royal pain, I know. Possibly there is a splice that has corroded, either in the power or ground circuit.

acr2002 · Post by **acr2002** » Thu Dec 16, 2010 7:51 pm

Ok man, thanks for everything. I am getting so frustrated with this thing, I might have to take this issue to a shop; even though I hate doing that.

Gnuserup · Post by **Gnuserup** » Fri Dec 17, 2010 7:57 am

So you haven´t noticed my two threads belonging this thing ??

viewtopic.php?t=53122

viewtopic.php?t=52839

Anyway - have you made clear to install any single wire correctly ?

Maybe write it up up here.