Main IndexAuto Repair Home Search Posts SEARCH
POSTS
Who's Online WHO'S
ONLINE
Log in LOG
IN









electrical problem


Search for (search options)
 



johnt
User

Nov 30, 2013, 4:22 PM

Post #1 of 13 (1539 views)
electrical problem Sign In

2003 chevy 3500 express cutaway, 12foot box.
When I turn on my headlights, my headlights work, I have no rear lights or marker lights on the box. reverse blinkers and brake lights work. checked all fuses they were fine. if it is a ground where is it and where should I start. any help is appreciated.
Thanks John


Discretesignals
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Discretesignals profile image

Nov 30, 2013, 5:32 PM

Post #2 of 13 (1518 views)
Re: electrical problem Sign In

Do you have power in any of the marker light sockets?





Since we volunteer our time and knowledge, we ask for you to please follow up when a problem is resolved.


johnt
User

Nov 30, 2013, 5:35 PM

Post #3 of 13 (1515 views)
Re: electrical problem Sign In

I did not check that, will do that tomorrow. what does it mean if I do? thanks


johnt
User

Dec 1, 2013, 7:23 AM

Post #4 of 13 (1495 views)
Re: electrical problem Sign In

no power to marker sockets


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

Dec 1, 2013, 8:01 AM

Post #5 of 13 (1492 views)
Re: electrical problem Sign In

Are you using a common scratch awl type test light? If so, what are you grounding the alligator clip end on? It won't work if that's not known ground,

T



johnt
User

Dec 1, 2013, 8:21 AM

Post #6 of 13 (1489 views)
Re: electrical problem Sign In

I am a novice, the tester I have looks like a screwdriver with a point and an alligator clip. How is the correct way to test the marker lights in laymen terms. When I put the headlights on, the headlights work. my blinkers, brake lights and turn signals all work normally. tail lights and marker lights do not work.
Thanks


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

Dec 1, 2013, 8:52 AM

Post #7 of 13 (1480 views)
Re: electrical problem Sign In

Test the light first right at battery just to know it works. You basically can believe body metal is ground for the clip end and mash it good for good contact. Test again if length allows on a known working socket then test one that doesn't.

Just test away and be extra careful of any round sockets as if the thing is hot and your tester touches the side it can/will blow a fuse to the circuit.

It's pretty basic. You can even test the tool on a 9V household battery! Ask away if confused or it's not behaving for you,

T



johnt
User

Dec 1, 2013, 9:08 AM

Post #8 of 13 (1476 views)
Re: electrical problem Sign In

I have no power to the marker lights, I tested the tester on the light inside the truck and tester worked. I pulled all fuses and they are all good.


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

Dec 1, 2013, 11:00 AM

Post #9 of 13 (1460 views)
Re: electrical problem Sign In

OK - You said it was just lighting on the "box" that is added to this truck and everything else worked, fuses would also light that test light. Now I would test what you used for grounding the test light which probably was the box (can't know) just use the light backwards power to the alligator clip and touch what should be ground it should light.

IDK if whole box was designed to be grounded or a plug in somewhere for entire box used for both power and ground. You are just looking for which and where it dropped out that's all. The bulbs don't care (if the are good) they just want power and ground to light,

T



johnt
User

Dec 1, 2013, 1:12 PM

Post #10 of 13 (1450 views)
Re: electrical problem Sign In

thanks for the replies, problem solved. There is a brown wire under the truck that supplies power to the lights on the box. with the lights on I started jiggling the wires under the truck and noticed smoke from brown wire. Replaced section of wire and all lights are working. Thanks again for all replies. John


Sidom
Veteran / Moderator
Sidom profile image

Dec 1, 2013, 1:16 PM

Post #11 of 13 (1448 views)
Re: electrical problem Sign In

Ah....the ole smoke method......That is usually that absolute last method used in finding shorts......Good thing you found it & fixed the problem before something bad happened.....


Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Hammer Time profile image

Dec 1, 2013, 1:30 PM

Post #12 of 13 (1443 views)
Re: electrical problem Sign In

Now you went and let the smoke out. I hope there's enough left now.



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.



Sidom
Veteran / Moderator
Sidom profile image

Dec 1, 2013, 1:42 PM

Post #13 of 13 (1440 views)
Re: electrical problem Sign In

There is always a fix...... Tongue

I got cases of this stuff in the shop









 
 
 






Search for (options) Privacy Sitemap