Tail light issues

[ZX-14]

Having issues, hit the brakes, signal and reverse light illuminates.

Turn signal is fast, passenger side is the problem.

Cleaned plugs, and looked at the board- bulbs are fine.

I read somewhere about circuit board soldering but am unfamiliar with the thing in general.

Any quick fix or step by step plan you guys know of??

Thanks!

[Dangermouse]

When you say "Turn signal is fast", do you mean the passenger side?

Signal being fast, means that you have a bulb out on whatever side it is (could be front or rear)

Did you test the bulbs with a continuity checker?

It is advised that the center of the bulb connector on the tail boards be re-inforced with very small bolts and nuts to improve continuity. Did you P.O. do that?



(BTW, the "How-To: Guides" area is really for posting actual "How To" methods, not for asking questions like this. You will get a better response if you post questions in the "General Discussion" section ;) )

[ZX-14]

My bad, will post there.

The bulbs are fine, no lights are out, they just do not illuminate properly, like they are shorting out.

Passenger side only- both turn signals flash too fast.

[ccurzio]

My bad, will post there.

The bulbs are fine, no lights are out, they just do not illuminate properly, like they are shorting out.

Passenger side only- both turn signals flash too fast.

Don't, I'll just move the thread.

[DMCMW Dave]

Don't, I'll just move the thread.

Here's an interesting fix we found today:

14219

[ccurzio]

That is AWESOME.

[LEVY]

Here's an interesting fix we found today:

14219

How much you charge for a fix like that?

[DMCMW Dave]

How much you charge for a fix like that?

A lot. Extra for the official woodgrain plastic used for the addition.

[Bitsyncmaster]

Here's an interesting fix we found today:

14219

You fixing Bills car?

Really nothing wrong with that fix if you can't afford a new PCB.

[DMCMW Dave]

You fixing Bills car?

Really nothing wrong with that fix if you can't afford a new PCB.

Welll - not exactly. There's a reason we pulled it out.

[David T]

I have seen various versions of that fix. It can work if done well. What I have done on my car is the screws and nuts through the rivets and I soldered all of the rivets to the board. The "trick" is to get everything clean enough so that the solder actually sticks and is not just laying on top. You also have to clean any oxidation on the springy bottom contacts and the shell that holds the bulb. I use a wire brush that they sell to plumbers to clean the insides of copper fittings before soldering. I think it is the 1/2" size one. If the bases of the bulbs are not shiny you wire brush them. Make sure the contacts in the plugs that connect to the boards are making good contact and the pads on the boards are clean where the plug fits. P J Grady sells the best upgraded taillight boards but they are pricey. When testing bulbs you flick it with your finger while holding it up to the light. If you see the filament shake on one end then the bulb is bad even if it tests good with a tester. Be careful with the 2 filament bulbs when installing them. One pin on the base is higher than the other so you install it correctly. It is possible to install it wrong and you switch the filaments. The stop filament is brighter than the tail filament.
David Teitelbaum

[Ron]

Welll - not exactly. There's a reason we pulled it out.It was Bill's car?

[DMCTek]

Here's an interesting fix we found today:

14219

This is the best one we've found yet! I give them a A+ for creativity!

[stevedmc]

Here's an interesting fix we found today:

14219

I'll keep this fix in mind since I have a $500 annual budget. Thanks.

[stevedmc]

It was Bill's car?

Bill Robertson uses Grady boards.

[Dangermouse]

It was Bill's car?

You think Bill would take his car to a dealer??

[Ron]

You think Bill would take his car to a dealer??Shouldn't you be asking Bitsy this?

[Dangermouse]

Possibly, but that involved too much scrolling :)

[DeLorean03]

Any quick fix or step by step plan you guys know of??

Thanks!

Yes, google "PJ Grady" and see if he is still making his upgraded tail light boards. About $115 - and WELL WORTH it.

[Ron]

Possibly, but that involved too much scrolling :)

There is a joke in here somewhere about it depending on what the definition of was, was.

[OverlandMan]

My bad, will post there.

The bulbs are fine, no lights are out, they just do not illuminate properly, like they are shorting out.

Passenger side only- both turn signals flash too fast.

ZX-14, where in Dallas are you? I'm in Rowlett. You're welcome to bring it over and we can do some testing. I'm pretty savvy w/ 12V DC.

[Ron]

My bad, will post there.

The bulbs are fine, no lights are out, they just do not illuminate properly, like they are shorting out.

Passenger side only- both turn signals flash too fast.Sorry, I read this too fast first go and let the "shorting out" get me...

If everything is consistent and works correctly except the speed on one side, you have a bulb(s) with the wrong rating on that side.

(Much less likely, as things would have to be just right, but it could be a poor connection...You might be able to notice it is dimmer than the other side if you watch closely...)

[ZX-14]

ZX-14, where in Dallas are you? I'm in Rowlett. You're welcome to bring it over and we can do some testing. I'm pretty savvy w/ 12V DC.

I live in Rockwall- right across the lake. This is the only thing preventing me from getting it inspected.

I would love the assistance!

[OverlandMan]

I live in Rockwall- right across the lake. This is the only thing preventing me from getting it inspected.

I would love the assistance!

Oh wow! I didn't know there was another D so close to mine! I'll send you a PM.

[OverlandMan]

For anyone following this thread, I was able to diagnose and resolve ZX-14's taillight issues. The issue was a bad ground connection on both sides. On the driver side, the plug was corroded and not making good contact. I used some contact cleaner and a small flat-head screwdriver to clean well enough to get good contact again. On the passenger side, the ground pin clip on the plug was actually broken. I used a shim to temporarily fix until he can get replacement plugs. He had upgraded PJ Grady tail-light boards that were in good shape.

Here's a shot of both our cars in my garage.

14340

[Jonathan]

Here's an interesting fix we found today:

14219

Sweet!!!

Did Red Green move to the US and get a DeLorean??

http://www.redgreen.com/

"If the ladies don't find you handsome, they should at least find you handy" lol

[ZX-14]

ZX-14, where in Dallas are you? I'm in Rowlett. You're welcome to bring it over and we can do some testing. I'm pretty savvy w/ 12V DC.


For anyone following this thread, I was able to diagnose and resolve ZX-14's taillight issues. The issue was a bad ground connection on both sides. On the driver side, the plug was corroded and not making good contact. I used some contact cleaner and a small flat-head screwdriver to clean well enough to get good contact again. On the passenger side, the ground pin clip on the plug was actually broken. I used a shim to temporarily fix until he can get replacement plugs. He had upgraded PJ Grady tail-light boards that were in good shape.

Here's a shot of both our cars in my garage.

14340


Thanks for getting her "legal" for me. Lights are working great- new plug, as well as mirror glass and a few more parts are on the way.

Still trying to work us out a paint deal too. Thanks for digging through the car and coming up with a fix. I have been driving it all week. Alot of photo-ops.

[OverlandMan]

Thanks for getting her "legal" for me. Lights are working great- new plug, as well as mirror glass and a few more parts are on the way.

Still trying to work us out a paint deal too. Thanks for digging through the car and coming up with a fix. I have been driving it all week. Alot of photo-ops.

Anytime man. Keep me posted on the paint deal. I'm definitely interested.