hiredassasin19

Car is a 1999 Honda Civic HX Coupe.

Basically all the rear lights are out when I try to turn them on.

Bulbs - Work when brake pedal is pressed, meaning when I brake the lights do come on.

Fuse - The fuse is new, but I tested it for any power, and there's no power going from I guess the switch on the steering wheel that turns the lights on to the fuse box.

Any help is appreciated, please and thank you.

hiredassasin19

anyone? bump

Mot Gnuoy

How are you testing it?? not to sound like you have no clue, but....... Place the meter in DC and put the black lead on a common ground and the red lead on the back side of the fuse(metal). then turn the parkin lights on. try both sides of the fuse.

hiredassasin19

I'm not exactly an expert on circuits or anything but correct me if I'm wrong.

You turn the headlamp switch next to the steering wheel.
That sends a signal to the battery to send power to the lights.
The power then runs through the fuse box and to the lights in the back.

I tested the fuse, while plugged in for continuity, simply because I don't have a multimeter, but I don't think it mattered, since other functioning accessories received a charge.

My theory in this case is that there's either a bad component in the headlamp switch, the one mounted on the left side of the steering wheel, or there's possibly a bad ground somewhere.

hiredassasin19

I got a new combination switch and it worked perfectly for about 2 or 3 days and then the tail lights stopped working but the turn signals still work...

Former User

Do the cluster lights work? If so, recheck fuse 32 under the dash. It may be blown.

hiredassasin19

The turn signals wouldn't work if no.32 was blown. And the cluster lights run under Fuse 30 I believe not number 32.

Former User

hiredassasin19

Ok so if the fuse no.32 keeps blowing the issue is from a bad relay I'm guessing?

Former User

There's no relay in the fuse 32 circuit. My guess would be a short in one of the bulb receptacles.

hiredassasin19

Well wouldn't that cause the bulb not to function at all, when I brake they still light up. And that would also mean all of the receptacles are bad which seems really unlikely.

Former User

It CAN still be one bad bulb socket. One bulb has two filaments, one the brake and the other for the taillight. One bad receptacle can have a short in one circuit but not the other. In your case, the brake circuit part of the receptacle would be fine. Anyway, do as you see fit, but if you don't understand the circuits, then you should be more receptive to advice.

hiredassasin19

I understand where you're coming from and I get your advice, I'm just saying wouldn't it be odd for all four receptacles to have gone bad all at once, especially since it wasn't working at all, I switched the combination switch and boom all of a sudden it's working and again two days later it stops.

Former User

You don't need to have four bad sockets, only one. One short in one socket would blow fuse 32. Then none of the light bulbs on the circuit would work.

hiredassasin19

Cool cool, how would I go about testing it then, a test light?

Former User

Start by inspecting each socket for visual damage, such as cracks, burning, or corrosion. Also similarly inspect the rear wires of the socket.

Have you actually verified that fuse 32 is blowing?

hiredassasin19

It kept blowing before I changed the combination switch. When I changed the switch it stopped doing this, but I have not checked they fuse after it stopped working today. I will be checking it tomorrow morning when it's bright outside.

I'll go ahead and inspect each socket tomorrow too, I really appreciate the help and your patience with me, lol.

Former User

Verify that fuse 32 has blown again before inspecting the sockets.

hiredassasin19

Fuse 32 is blown. I began checking the sockets and one the bulbs has the filament broken, I inspected the socket and it looks fine, anyway to test it?

Former User

Does removal of the bad bulb prevent fuse 32 from blowing. If not, inspect the remainder of the taillight/brake light, front and rear parking light, and license plate light sockets.

hiredassasin19

I removed the bad bulb and replaced the fuse, and it blew it again, I will go ahead and check the rest of the sockets.