tail light not working, checked fuse & bulbs
 

my left taillight and the engine compartment light is out on my 84. I have checked the fuse, its good plus the front marker light is working. i checked the bulbs and unplugged and replugged the wire connector in the engine compartment a few times. Is there any common issues i should look for before i tear into it?

Look for a corroded brown (Ground) wire in the tail light assembly.

+1 Ground

Did you put a multimeter on it?

i havent yet LW, i didnt have it at my house

I had the same problem and it was a matter of the copper connection losing it's tension to press consistently against the base of the tail light bulb. removing the bulb, reaching in and pulling the copper connector toward where the bulb's base will sit fixed the problem temporarily. replacement is in the future as well as cleaning up the ground connections to be safe.

After checking with a DVM. consider crack the assembly open to inspect the PCB type board behind the socket. It may have fractured and the contact may have shorted out.

Bending the copper contact may damage the board, so take caution:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v5...702_202317.jpg

When you place the back plate on, use some caulk to seal the housing, if not you will get moisture in there.

thanks ill check it out

there is a thread with pics and wire ID that you can search up

I got a similar issue, except I don't have any lights on the left front marker and left tail.

The fuse looks good and the break and turn signals are operational.

Where does one begin?

I had same problem, it was a bad diode, its right behind ignition/key switch. It's about 3 inches long. Just disconnect the diode and reconnect the wires, you don't even need it. Tim

If Timchar's solution doesn't work, check your light under the engine lid. When the fixture goes bad, it cuts the circuit to the left side front marker light and tail light.

Stone, you're right, probably smarter and easier to check that first. Gotta have small hands to get diode out. Tim