Why don't my tail lights work?

moondog · 12-14-06, 06:47 PM

So - my brother checked all the fuses and fusable links and it's not any of them. All of my other lights and signals work. . . . I'd really like to have taillights though. I thought that it might need a new tail light relay, but I called Spector Offroad and they don't have any sort of individual tail light relay listed. . . . so what could it be?

brownbear · 12-14-06, 06:50 PM

Ah lets let the good guys in the 60 section help ya. I know yours is 24v, but the audience is bigger in the 60 section. Plus we will have the re-direct in here too, so both forums will see this thread.

brownbear · 12-14-06, 06:51 PM

I hate to sound wierd.... but is your avatar you in a red dress???

kling-on · 12-14-06, 06:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by moondog

So - my brother checked all the fuses and fusable links and it's not any of them. All of my other lights and signals work. . . . I'd really like to have taillights though. I thought that it might need a new tail light relay, but I called Spector Offroad and they don't have any sort of individual tail light relay listed. . . . so what could it be?

ck the plugs under the rear and in the rear drivers side maybe ones shorted

Dynosoar · 12-14-06, 07:30 PM

It most likely is a bad ground. Check the ground point under the truck near the tailgate.

Dynosoar

cruiser_guy · 12-14-06, 08:07 PM

Did the truck ever have a trailer wiring harness? I had that take out the rear harness on my truck.

brownbear · 12-14-06, 11:02 PM

The tail light relay gets it ground thru the light control switch. If the switch is pooched it can fail the relay.

To test the relay;
1; Inspect relay continuity
a) check that there is continuity between terminals 1 and 2
b) check that there is no continuity between terminals 2 and 3. if continuity is not as specified, replace the relay.
2; inspect relay operation
a) apply battery voltage across terminals 1 and 2.
b) check that there is continuity between terminals 2 and 3. there should be with power on.

if not replace relay.

OK to use a 24v generic relay.
buy one that is normally open. Has no continuity when power is off between large contacts.

Wire the power wire from fuse colour R-Y (red yellow) to the main contact a, and a jumper to the field coil( x1). The jumper is just a short wire to power the field.
Next wire the R-B wire(red-black or brown wire) to the other end of the field coil(x2 ususally). This is the control wire on the light control switch. When this wire finds ground it turns on the field coil and energizes the coil, pulls the plunger contacts and allows power to flow thru the main contacts.
Next wire the G wire(green) to the other side of the relay. This powers all the lights.

So to buy a relay take the old one into a shop that has 24v relays for sale(trucking maintenance shop) or farm. And show them your 24v relay. Buy one similar size with two posts for the coil. and two for the main contacts. The relay will be normally open with no power on it. Open means no power flows.

The purpose of a relay is because the power used in some applications would wear out a switch due to arc ing. So they use a relay remotely with a field coil to the do the switch, The big contacts can handle the juice.

The relay for the tail lights is of three wires. As the main power wire in is also the in for the field coil.

I would not pay more than 20-30 bucks for a relay. To buy an expensive toyota one just for the connector may be too much. As the generic one will need you to cut off the connector or solder in the wires.

my guess though is the fuse is blown. Put a multimeter accross the fuse to check for continuity first.

There are many things powered by the tail light relay.;
glovebox light
cigarette lighter
clearance lights
tail lights
even radio power of some sort(but that would ole stocko)

I bet you have a short somewhere, it blew the fuse. Unless you test the relay I bet its fine....

Just a guess though. G-luck.

Buy a mulitmeter. Have some fun with it.

timbercruiser · 12-15-06, 12:37 PM

I recall Mark W writing about FJ 62s having trouble with wires above the rear fenderwell.. Seems rust gets in there and causes trouble.

moondog · 12-15-06, 08:00 PM

thanks. ya'll rock.

Rig of Mortis · 12-16-06, 05:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brownbear

I hate to sound wierd.... but is your avatar you in a red dress???

No brownbear, that was me. I like to go out on the town and mix it up once in a while.

Rig of Mortis · 12-16-06, 06:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by moondog

yeah, yeah . . . . that is/was me. . . . . i just knew that you guys would be quick to help . . . . not that you aren't anyway

...Thunder stealer.

moondog · 01-12-07, 01:52 PM

Hurray for taillights and the help of kind cruiserheads!. . . . couldn't of done it without you.

Rig of Mortis · 01-12-07, 03:49 PM

...so what was it?

iron_giant · 01-17-07, 11:35 AM

It was a jumble of some spaghetti trailer wiring thing that obviously had a bad ground or disconnection of some sort. We ended up just cutting the thing out and running new wires soldered to the original harness. It works and looks clean. It was nice having to 24 volt trucks there as I could just pull the relay and try it out in my truck.