ochsy03

Running lights do not work but my brake lights do. Fuses under dash are all good. There was not a fuse in the "running lights" (#20) fuse spot so I put one of the spare fuses there. Maybe 6 months ago my running lights worked and brake lights didn't so I just replaced the bulb and everything worked fine. Now running lights don't work. Also just put in new bulbs. Thanks

legendre

Couple of things here. Just to clarify, by 'running lights' you mean the tail lights - right?

The CR-V uses a pair dual-element tail lamp bulbs, one element each for TAIL (low power) and BRAKE (higher power) lights. Remove the bulbs and test them with a multimeter or continuity tester. Confirm that both elements in each bulb have continuity to the common base contact.

Remove the fuse that protects the tail lamps, and test it as well for continuity. Replace any bad fuses or bulbs.

If that doesn't turn anything up, then start checking the bulb sockets for voltage. With lights on, you should have 12V between the TAIL contact and the COMMON contact. Likewise, when the brake pedal is depressed, you should see 12V appear between the BRAKE and COMMON.

Let us know. And also, why was there no fuse in the #20 socket? Was it like that when you first got the vehicle? Was the previous owner driving around for some period with no tail lights??

legendre

FYI - If this vehicle has a history of lighting or other electrical issues, keep your eyes open for any evidence of previous work on the wiring system. If you spot anything that looks like a "repair", you would do well to suspect and inspect it..

Amateur electrical repairs frequently create more issues than they solve, particularly later on down the road, as they say.

ochsy03

Yes tail lights. My family bought the car brand new in 98 so we are the only owners. I have no idea why there was no fuse in. Would running lights work without a fuse? Like I said awhile back I was driving at night and my fiancé was behind me and told me brake lights weren't working but the running lights were. Neither side works so I doubt it's the bulbs. Could a fuse appear to be good but be defective?

Jjbaehr

Do your dash lights work?

ochsy03

Yes the dash lights work.

Jjbaehr

You probably have the wrong bulbs installed as mentioned above, they need dual filiments

dogbiscuit

I put the wrong bulbs in mine and couldn't figure out why they wouldnt come on but only when I braked.

I had single fillament in. Anyways, take yours out and look at them. they are cheap to buy at a autoparts store if one of the fillaments is dead.

ochsy03

Yea just realized when my brake lights weren't working I just replaced them with a random bulb and just made sure the brake lights worked and never checked the running lights. I'll grab some new bulbs

legendre

Heh.. details, details.. there's a reason those bulbs have numbers printed on them.