Rear tail light not working

[Court M3]

Check all fuses, and bulbs all good. All connections cleaned. Anyone got any other leads.

[akorcovelos]

is it both lights or just one?

How you been Court?

[StereoInstaller1]

My front tail lights went out just the other day....

JK, man. I would test voltage at the fuse, then check the switch, (do you have front markers working?) then check the diode pack hiding by the antenna.

Are you using a test light or a DVM? I would highly recommend a test light for this stuff.

Basic electrical is easier with a light than a meter.

Luke

[Court M3]

just the passenger side is completely out, although turn signal work.

[StereoInstaller1]

First guess is the switch, if you haven't fixed it by now.

[akorcovelos]

did you check the harness going into the light where it plugs in? Mine wasn't working and that was the problem, one of the terminals in the plug was really corodded.

[Aerton]

So did you find a solution? I have the same problem, both my left front and rear are out but the turn signals work. I have changed the switch, replaced the bulbs and nothing...

And what is this by the antenna?? I was just playing with my antenna and did not see there anyone have pics of this.

just the passenger side is completely out, although turn signal work.

[Court M3]

nah haven't had the time. Car is out of commision right now until I can get some time to change the starter. :(

[E30SPDFRK]

I actually have the same problem, too. Passenger tail light is out, but the turn, brake and reverse lights work fine.

Changed the bulb- nothing
Cleaned the terminals- nothing
Checked for voltage at the plug- nothing.

The drivers side works fine.


What is this diode thing?

[Aerton]

My front tail lights went out just the other day....

JK, man. I would test voltage at the fuse, then check the switch, (do you have front markers working?) then check the diode pack hiding by the antenna.

Are you using a test light or a DVM? I would highly recommend a test light for this stuff.

Basic electrical is easier with a light than a meter.

Luke

"then check the diode pack hiding by the antenna"

Any pics of this diode pack, is this in convertibles as well?

[DaveSmed]

The parking light circuits on E30s (and most european cars) is split in two independent circuits, left and right.

The "diode pack" (check control relay actually...) is what allows the check control to monitor the rear lights. It is absolutely, positively NOT the problem if the FRONT parking lights are acting up on the same side. The front parking lights are not monitored. (this is of course excepting vehicles with multiple problems) Your problem is likely in the running light circuit for that side of the car.

Fuse 22 controls the Left side parking lights, and Fuse 23 controls the Right side parking lights, license plate lights, and dash lights.

Now, if your left hand lights are out, first swap the fuse with a known good one. Next, pop off the taillight panel and swap the bulb with the known good one from the other side of the car (to eliminate the possibility of two burned bulbs) If both of those show no improvement, its time to delve into the dash and check the switch itself, it's probably toast. With the parking lights on, check for power at the grey/black and grey/yellow wires. If theres power at grey/black and not at grey/yellow, time for a switch.

If your right hand lights are out, check your dash lights. If they work, the power supply to the switch from the fuse is good. Check your license plate lights, do they work? If so, its probably bulb time. If not, your probably due for a switch.

[E30SPDFRK]

lol, fuse 23 it was. It's always the simple things.

[Aerton]

Hey E30SPDFRK, I checked the fuses and that was not it for me I'm glad it was that easy for you. Thank you for the advice Dave, as for more testing as you suggested I will hope for some warmer weather as my car is covered in snow/ice for now. I will post my findings.

[downforce22]

Bump Just my rear lights (left, middle and right) are not working but my turn signals do work. What is this diode or switch? Rear parking lights do work. I checked fuse 6 and it looked fine to me

[Shangsta]

my right side front turn signal doesnt light up at night along with the entire rear tailight unit. The rear brakes work and turn signals work but the running lights dont. Do you think this is switch related, I checked fuse 23 and its fine