The longer you own your vehicle, the more likely it is that you’ll run into electrical problems. While those problems usually consist of burnt bulbs and blown fuses, occasionally, they can get a bit more complicated.
Don’t worry! Even when you’re stressed out and concerned about the cost of repairs, the answer is usually more straightforward than you think. Below, we break down the most common reasons your taillights don’t work, but your brake lights still do.
6 Causes of Taillights Don’t Work But Brake Lights Do
The most common reason why your tail lights are not working but brake lights are is due to a bad or wrong type of light bulb installed. It can also be caused by a blown fuse, bad wirings, or corroded sockets or plugs. A faulty control light switch could also be to blame.
While these are not all of the possible causes, they are the most common ones. Here is a more detailed list of the most common reasons why your tail lights do not work, but brake lights do.
1. Bad/Wrong Bulbs
Brake lights typically use a dual filament bulb, and it’s possible for just one of those filaments to break. When that happens, you’ll get function out of one side of the bulb, like the brake light, but not the tail light.
Furthermore, many manufacturers use separate bulbs for the taillights and the brake lights. If the taillight bulb burns out, you’ll need to replace it.
Finally, if you just swapped out the bulbs, the problem might be that you’re using the wrong bulb type. Some people think that if it fits, it’s the right bulb. That’s not true. If you still have the old bulbs, check the part number and compare it to the replacement bulbs.
If you’ve already ditched the old bulbs, check your owner’s manual or Google to try and find the correct bulb for your vehicle! Keep in mind that the brand doesn’t matter, but the part numbers need to be cross-compatible if you’re switching brands.
2. Blown Fuses
While you may have a few burnt out bulbs, the more likely option is that your vehicle has a burnt-out taillight fuse. All you need to do to check is locate your vehicle’s fuse box and check the fuse with a test light or a multimeter.
If you don’t have either, you simply remove the taillight fuse and look at it. If you can’t tell if it’s burnt out, swap the fuse with another fuse with the same amperage. If the problem moves, then the fuse is the problem!
When you’re getting a new fuse, always use a fuse with the correct amperage. It can be tempting to up the amperage to ensure that it doesn’t blow again, but too much amperage can lead to bigger problems if the fuse doesn’t protect the system like it’s supposed to!
3. Faulty Control Switch
Home mechanics often overlook it, but this is one of the most common reasons your taillights will stop working. The control switch in the cab of your vehicle tells your taillights when you want them on, and if the switch isn’t working the way it should, you’ll never get your taillights on!
When this part is faulty, you will most often also lose the front parking lights.
4. Wiring Issues/Bad Grounds
Wiring issues are the bane of many mechanics’ existence. It can be a pain to troubleshoot and pinpoint the exact problem, but that doesn’t stop wiring issues from cropping up from time to time. Broken wires, crossed lines, and excessive corrosion are all common issues, especially for older vehicles.
5. Corroded or Damaged Sockets or Plugs
If your vehicle’s taillights aren’t sealed properly, then everything inside gets exposed to the elements. While this can lead to problems all over, the most vulnerable area is the socket itself. These sockets can rust and corrode when they get exposed to the elements, leading to all sorts of electrical problems.
Whenever you’re replacing a bulb, you should look at the socket itself to see if it’s in good shape. If there is corrosion, use a wire brush and WD-40 to clean the socket. However, if the damage is bad enough, you’ll need to replace the socket.
6. Bad Ambient Daylight Sensor
Modern cars have automatic parking lights when it is dark outside. This means that they will shut off if there is daylight. This is different in different parts of the world, but have you ensured that it is just not too light outside for your tail light to come on?
However, it can also be caused by a bad ambient light sensor, which tells the car when it should be time to light up the taillights. This sensor is often located in the front windshield. However, it is not very common for it to go bad.
Tail Light Troubleshooting Guide
When you’re troubleshooting things, you need to KISS it. Not literally, of course, but you need to keep it simple stupid!
It’s Occam’s Razor in its simplest form; the simplest answer is usually the problem. Before you start digging into wiring harnesses and checking grounds, make sure the bulbs didn’t burn out and you’re getting power!
No power usually means a blown fuse, but it could mean a faulty switch too. Those three things, bulbs, fuses, and switches, make up 95% of the electrical problems associated with taillights.
Even better for you, they’re also the easiest to troubleshoot and fix! However, once you’ve ruled those three things out, you can move on to the next two. First, start by checking for power at the socket, but with a known good ground.
When you’re checking for power, make sure you’re getting good contact with the metal terminal in the socket. If corrosion or anything else is covering the terminal, you’ll need to clean it off first. If you end up cleaning the terminal, try the bulb again. The problem might have been the corrosion!
But if you’re getting power and there’s no corrosion, it’s likely a ground issue that you need to solve. If you aren’t getting power, repeat these steps at the fuse. If the fuse is getting power and the socket isn’t, you have a wiring issue between the socket and the fuse.
However, if the fuse isn’t getting power, check for power at the switch. Once again, if you have power at the switch and not the fuse, the wiring fault is somewhere in between. But if you’re not getting power to the switch, then the problem is somewhere between there and the battery.
Is there a fuse for the tail lights?
Yes. There is a fuse for the tail lights for most car models. Some car models even have a fuse for each side. To find the fuses you need to find the fuse box, but it is not always easy to find. Sometimes it is located in the trunk, under the hood, or even under the dashboard. It is important to check your owner’s manual to see where the fuse is located.
Can you drive with no tail lights?
No. You cannot drive with no tail lights. It is not safe and it is against the law in most states and countries. If you have a problem with your tail lights, you should get them fixed as soon as possible. Driving without tail lights is dangerous because other drivers will not be able to see your car as well, and they may rear-end your car. Also, if you get pulled over, the police will ticket you for having no tail lights. So it’s just not worth it to drive without them.
Do tail lights and brake lights use the same bulb?
It depends on the make and model of your vehicle. In many cases, the brake lights and tail lights will use the same bulb. However, there are also some vehicles where the brake lights and tail lights use separate bulbs. If you’re unsure which type of setup your vehicle has, it’s best to check your owner’s manual.
How do you check your own tail lights?
You can check your own tail lights by looking at them from behind your car. Just turn on the ignition and activate the headlights. They should be on when the headlights are on, and they should be off when the headlights are off on most car models.
Nothing is more frustrating than electrical gremlins. But with a little automotive know-how and a basic understanding of electrical principles, there’s no reason you can’t track down the reason for your faulty tail lights!
The most common reasons why tail lights don’t work, but brake lights do, include:
- Bad or Wrong Bulbs
- Blown Fuses
- Faulty Light Control Switch
- Wiring Issues or Bad Grounds
- Corroded or Damaged Sockets or Plugs
- Bad Ambient Daylight Sensor
It may seem overwhelming at first, but most electrical problems are cheap and easy to fix, and don’t come back if you do the job right the first time! Even better for the novice mechanic, these are problems you can usually quickly troubleshoot and fix yourself sometimes!
Learn more:
- Interior Car Lights Won’t Turn Off – Causes and Fixes
- Battery Terminal Corrosion Causes (& How to Prevent It?)
- Xenon vs. LED vs. Halogen Headlights – What’s the Difference?
Categories: General, Troubleshooting
