Left Tail Light Board Intermittent

[Shark Pilot]

I have searched the forum for my issue and haven't been successful, though I admittedly haven't tried as hard as usual due to time constraints.

I have the PJ Grady Tail Light boards and the left one just crapped the bed. If I tap it, the lights work though. This just started last week and I've had the boards for 5 years. I will be taking it apart tomorrow from the outside through the phillips screws. I'm praying this isn't a disassemble-your-rear-bumper kind of access issue. Anything I should know about this? Does it seem like a loose wire or a bad solder? It's in storage and I don't want to drive it at night because I'll get pulled over.

Patrick

[DMCMW Dave]

I have searched the forum for my issue and haven't been successful, though I admittedly haven't tried as hard as usual due to time constraints.

I have the PJ Grady Tail Light boards and the left one just crapped the bed. If I tap it, the lights work though. This just started last week and I've had the boards for 5 years. I will be taking it apart tomorrow from the outside through the phillips screws. I'm praying this isn't a disassemble-your-rear-bumper kind of access issue. Anything I should know about this? Does it seem like a loose wire or a bad solder? It's in storage and I don't want to drive it at night because I'll get pulled over.

Patrick

Probably just a dirty connector. When you take out the Phillips screws the whole fixture will come out with the board attached. Check the connection where the wiring goes, if that seems good unplug it, remove the board from the fixture, and check/clean the sockets. If they are all out its most likely the ground on the edge connector.

[DAP John]

I have searched the forum for my issue and haven't been successful, though I admittedly haven't tried as hard as usual due to time constraints.

I have the PJ Grady Tail Light boards and the left one just crapped the bed. If I tap it, the lights work though. This just started last week and I've had the boards for 5 years. I will be taking it apart tomorrow from the outside through the phillips screws. I'm praying this isn't a disassemble-your-rear-bumper kind of access issue. Anything I should know about this? Does it seem like a loose wire or a bad solder? It's in storage and I don't want to drive it at night because I'll get pulled over.

Patrick

Partick, Should be someting simple. I spent 26 years in electronics and fixing boards is fairly simple if you want me to fix it. Or you can buy another new one.

John Hervey
DeLorean Auto Parts

[Jonathan]

Are these Grady boards still reversible, like the original ones are? If so, you could try swapping it with the one that isn't having problems and see if the problem moves with the board or stays on the same side.

[PJ Grady Inc.]

I have searched the forum for my issue and haven't been successful, though I admittedly haven't tried as hard as usual due to time constraints.

I have the PJ Grady Tail Light boards and the left one just crapped the bed. If I tap it, the lights work though. This just started last week and I've had the boards for 5 years. I will be taking it apart tomorrow from the outside through the phillips screws. I'm praying this isn't a disassemble-your-rear-bumper kind of access issue. Anything I should know about this? Does it seem like a loose wire or a bad solder? It's in storage and I don't want to drive it at night because I'll get pulled over.

Patrick

As Dave S. says it's probably a loose or corroded connection at the harness plugin. In the off chance there is a problem with the board send it back and I'll fix or replace it. If you're still planning to come in for some things and the car is in storage just wait till you come in and we'll fix it for you. You will never need to "buy" another board again.
Rob

[TTait]

One of my taillights was intermittent when I got the car, turns out the wire was not routed properly when the light was installed, and got trapped between the taillight and fascia, then a mounting screw was forced through the bundle. Make sure your wiring harness is not damaged as well.

[Shark Pilot]

Guys thanks. I'll know tomorrow. The car will be going to Rob anyway for other issues, but I'd like it to be legal on it's way there. Besides, this seems like a pretty innocuous fix. If I tap it, it works so to me that's a loose connection or like you guys mentioned a corroded connection somewhere.

[Shark Pilot]

Ok so the problem was the "86" bulb socket was loose. I pinched it with some pliers and voila, the light is solid. Board is clean and the connectors are perfect.

[David T]

Ok so the problem was the "86" bulb socket was loose. I pinched it with some pliers and voila, the light is solid. Board is clean and the connectors are perfect.


As long as you are good at it and it is fresh in your memory, check the other board too.

[Shark Pilot]

As long as you are good at it and it is fresh in your memory, check the other board too.

Already DUN!

[PJ Grady Inc.]

Ok so the problem was the "86" bulb socket was loose. I pinched it with some pliers and voila, the light is solid. Board is clean and the connectors are perfect.

I advised "Shark Pilot" that on very rare occasions due to variences in bulb tolerences you may have to tighten the "ears" that hold the bulb to the socket inward slightly to assure proper grounding and sure enough that was the issue. A tiny pair of sliding jaw pliers (AKA waterpump pliers) works perfectly for this. It's a rare occurence but correctable in seconds if you know what to do and I'm posting this so the next guy might see it. Our boards are kick-ass gosh darnit!
Rob