Passenger taillights are dim

**juiced99ws6** · 03-10-2007, 03:43 PM

Ok, its starting to get on my nerves. For a while I let it go and just figured I would replace a bulb one day and all would be well. Today I pulled my trunk apart and pulled all the bulbs and every one of them lit up. Then I pulled the drivers side taillight and checked voltage on a couple sockets just to see if they were consistant. The drivers side actually had a little bit less voltage but nothing to worry about. I think just because i checked it second and the battery wore down a little bit. Anyways what im getting at is now I have 3 new bulbs that I just replaced just for the hell of it and im getting good voltage so what the F*&%^ is making my passenger side dimmer than the drivers side!!!!!!!!!!!!

**89LX** · 03-10-2007, 04:39 PM

My guess would be a dirty/rusty ground in that particular assembly. Often times they will light as you say but not making a good loop.

**juiced99ws6** · 03-10-2007, 04:48 PM

ill try and trace that out tomorrow. I believe the taillights all share the same groudn though dont they??

**89LX** · 03-10-2007, 05:05 PM

I would have to look it up. On a few cars I've owned over the years the light assembly serves as the ground. If you have rust built-up under the assembly or rusty (to body) screws for that manner can cause you troubles as described. Never had the problem on my Z but I would check that first. Good luck

**juiced99ws6** · 03-10-2007, 05:12 PM

I will get some electrical cleaner tomorrow and spray the shit outta everything and take a tooth brush to the ground and the taillight mounting screws but I just looked up the wiring diagrams in the haynes manual and there is a splice right before a grounding station that joins all bulbs in the rear of the car to share the same ground..

**juiced99ws6** · 03-10-2007, 05:14 PM

what you are saying does make sense because (i didnt mean to withhold info) there has always been a problem with water getting in that taillight however doesnt make sense according to the diagrams

**0rion** · 03-10-2007, 06:04 PM

I'm assuming you checked the sockets on that side? Water and sockets don't make good dance partners.

**juiced99ws6** · 03-10-2007, 06:41 PM

Originally Posted by 0rion

I'm assuming you checked the sockets on that side? Water and sockets don't make good dance partners.

**urstolendesire** · 04-10-2007, 03:00 PM

this is a known problem with Tranny's. Mine does the exact same thing, but on the drivers side. its just darker and the back up lense has condinsation on it. its just a discoloration. no way of cleaning it or getting around it. jus gotta buy new ones. shoot for sum junk yards...

**Kyle C** · 04-11-2007, 10:11 AM

Had the same problem on my daughter's '98. It was the reflective coating on the inside of the assembly being gone from condensation in the assembly. Easiest fix is a new assembly but I was able to take the assembly apart, clean it up and repaint the inside panel with a reflective "chrome" paint. Now its a little brighter than the other side.