No power to left rear tail lamp...HELP!

flyin elvis · 05-01-2002, 12:41 PM

After having my 83 911SC repainted and putting the engine and trans back in, I have no l/r tail lamp. No power to the light. Everything else back there works; Could I have oinched a harness putting the engine back in or perhaps the body shop jammed something re-installing the bumper. Any possibility of a failed diode or in-line fuse???

Rot 911 · 05-01-2002, 01:50 PM

There is no diode or in line fuse to the rear tail light. Did you check to see if the ground wire has been left loose? I think there is one for each tail light assembly.

Bobboloo · Bobboloo's Garage

Check the ground as Kurt mentioned and also check the multipin connector where the harness goes through the frame. I suspect this is where the problem is. Unplug the connector spray some tuner cleaner in the connector and plug and unplug a couple of times to clean the connector and then reconnect.

You can pickup tuner cleaner at any Radio Shack. It's basically contact cleaner for electrical parts.

Bobby

Argo · 05-01-2002, 06:43 PM

When you say that everything else back there works, do you mean that the left blinker and left brake light work and the left tail light doesn't or are all 3 lights on the left side non-functional?

Argo
88 Targa

flyin elvis · 05-02-2002, 02:43 AM

Kurt and Bobby; thanks for the responses. I was unaware of the ground for the tail lamps and perhaps the body shop disconnected it or left it loose. Bobby the tip on the multi-pin connector is also a good one and I'll get after that as well. Really! appreciate the tips. I'll let you know what I find.

stlrj · 05-02-2002, 12:45 PM

I was pulled over for no tail lamps on the freeway one night on my way home, turns out a wire came loose at my head lamp switch.

Cheers,

Joe

flyin elvis · 05-02-2002, 01:10 PM

I think we nailed it! Turns out the engine compartment lid-light had shorted and the one left tail lamp and left plate lamp were on that circuit. The tip came from a guy on that other site who wrote from Germany. (I wont' get into which place is better, but I like this one now that I've found it.) Thanks for your responses. FYI I'm a Land Rover Service Director and if anyone has any questions about worlds best oil leaks, give me a shout.

Rot 911 · 05-02-2002, 01:14 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by flyin elvis
The tip came from a guy on that other site who wrote from Germany. (I wont' get into which place is better, but I like this one now that I've found it.)

That "guy" is Porsche Meister Roland Kunz who also posts on this list.

flyin elvis · 05-02-2002, 01:50 PM

It sounds like I should click on the red faced icon dude...no harm intended; I am new to Porsche but have a new passion. I spent 10 years with BMW and Mercedes and own a BMW R1200CA. I had spent the last two months on Rennlist and found this site when ordering parts. I've been here all of four days. I guess all I can say is thank the lord for both these sources; in the Porsche world I'm a rookie but hopefully some day will be able to offer help in the manner I've received it. Mea Culpa, and thanks to Mr. Kunz.