bucky38

Hi there
this group was useful when I had to fix my power window motor, I hope someone has an idea of what would cause the tail lights not to work. Dash lights are out too. Brakes & turn signals are OK. It's wierd that this happened shortly after fixing the passenger side window motor, but I never touched any part of the van but the passenger door, I swear!

old_master

The instrument lamp circuit gets its power from the tail lamp circuit. The circuits are fused separately. If the tail lamp fuse pops, you will not have dash lights. Check all of the fuses, (both terminals) with a test light or voltmeter. If the fuses and bulbs are ok, there is an open circuit that needs to be traced and repaired.

bucky38

Thanks old_master,
this happened after I fixed passenger side pwr window. I swear I only played inside the door, nowhere else. Any chance that the tail light curcuit goes thru the passenger door and this is somehow my fault?

old_master

If your vehicle is equipped with illuminated power window and/or power lock switches in the doors, there is a "spur" circuit from the tail lamp wiring that is routed into the doors for these lamps. So yes, it is possible that the wire was shorted while you were in there making repairs to the power window. Remove the trim panel carefully and look closely for any wires that may have been pinched and shorted to ground. Then check your tail lamp fuse.

bucky38

Thanks very much Old Master, I went back into the pass. door and found the "spur" wires were shorted.

old_master

That'll do it! Glad you found it.

boatbuster

Check with your GM dealer, my 2002 had a recall for the tail lights. They fixed mine for free. Can't get better than that!