93b18civic

I just picked up a 94 vx hatch. the headlights work fine, turn signals, hazards, running lights, but no taillights. what it is doing is if all lights are off and i press the brakes, the front turn signals light up as though it is the brake lights. WTF is causing this.

I NEED BRAKE LIGHTS!!!!!
please help if you can to steer me in the correct direction. Thanks in advance, Rick

93b18civic

SOMEONE?!?
ANYONE!?!

Jimster480

ROFL? Ur wiring is ****ed? Something is plugged into the wrong place, but im not really sure about that one.

lluks_844

Check the grounds on ur hatch.

mattliston

the ground on the hatch will not cause front turn signals to act as brake lights :facepalm

94EG8

I've seen this before on vehicles that had a 5 wire to 4 wire converter box for trailer lights. Other than that i've never seen it happen.

jsbayer

ROFL, that has to be a treat to see...get a wiring schematic, and follow wires, some one has something cut, or plugged into something wrong. Call the guy you got the car from?

Relic1

either this or someone plugged a 1156 (single filament) bulb into a 1157 (double filament) socket.
This shorts the two together, resulting in your brakes turning on the park lights.

Jimster480

Can you check the brake relay? Its possible that something else is plugged into there that is not right. I'm really not sure though, just taking a guess here, ive never seen a problem like that before.

lluks_844

Do I need to go make video?

The ground will in fact do this. I know becuase this is how i drove my car to get it up the street to the paint booth.

mattliston

yes, show a video. I have never seen front turn signals act as brake lights from a simple ground issue.

Jimster480

pls show proof.

93b18civic

i will make a video if you guys would like, but my fee will be that someone find a diagram for me that shows all of the grounds on my car (this way i can fix and post a "fixed" video)
got the car for $300 from a buddy, body rot like hell, but 40+ mpg in the condition it is in
Needs all new brakes, RF does nothing, both rears are metal/metal, LF is locked almost dead tight, so much that the car struggles to go forward against the pressure.
Trans is done (found one for $50 local)
Needs new wheel bearings (all 4)
but the potential for excellent mpg with only a $700 total cost is freaking awesome (dont care about looks with this one)

SO. If someone has a diagram i will gladly post a vid or 2 (never done one b4 but i can start)

93b18civic

I will double check the bulbs as well.

I greatly appreciate the help!!

93b18civic

UPDATE
Also found that the 3rd brake light on the wing is on constant with the running lights on.

hahahahaha
This **** is cracking me up. I am just glad i have only a small of money invested, lots of time, patients, and knowledge.

I had a feeling that it was the ground somewhere, but i dont have the correct diagram to check them all with.

Again, Thanks for the suggestions, and i look forward to someone coming up with the diagram for me.

mattliston

any honda civic manual will have a wiring diagram, and you can use online honda dealership parts sites to find where things bolt down.

lluks_844

I try and get one tonight workin 7 days a week is not fun.

Former User

This guy's idea is correct. The brake lights and rear turn signal lights share a common ground in the rear (G553, G771). If this ground becomes disconnected, loose, or corroded, the brake lights can then use the ground for the front turn signal lights (G201, G401). This could explain all of the unusual problems.

93b18civic

RON= F*ING awesome

EXACTLY what i was looking for.
Thanks for the diagram, now i am going to print it out and go soul (ground) searching.

AJxr

this happened to me. turned out there was a wrong buld in one of the tail lights. when i would hit the brakes the cluster would light up as if i turned the headlights on.

93b18civic

I'll check that as well. Thank you

93b18civic

Problem solved.

The harnesses for the outer tail lights were so corroded, it caused the lighting system to ground out. only problem is that the dash lights dont work still.

checked the fuses, not sure where to look next. ANY IDEAS?

mattliston

check and repalce the bulbs, grounding out harness sounds like it may have damaged something

Former User

In the unplugged dimmer switch connector, jump the red wire to the black wire. Do the cluster lights now work?

93b18civic

No. i jumped the harness as well as put a dimmer in that i know worked. still nothing.

Not sure if it helps or is related but i have no power to my radio either. checked both the constant and switched and no power to either. not with the key on nor with it off.