Trouble with tail lights

[GottaHavaQ]

i'm having a problem with my tail lights. when i turn the switch, i get no lights in the back. my headlights are working, but only as high beams. my brake lights are still functional, so i'm really confused. any ideas?

[DrewQ45]

Change your bulbs, clean the sockets and use dielectric grease on the contacts.

[qsiguy]

Could be a bad combination switch but you'd have to do some t-shooting with your multimeter to figure it out. Do you have the FSM yet. (Factory Service Manual) They were included in the car new but if you don't have it you can download it from http://www.phatg20.net. Follow the diagrams, check with multimeter, and try to find the source of your problem.

[redmanfx]

This may not be the cause, more an FYI. It's best to use only OEM replacement bulbs for your taillights due to after market bulbs causing numrerous problems in the past as documented here on NICO a few times... way back when...

[chicb]

Hi: Had the same problem on my 94 Q45. Go under the hood and check the fuses on the l-hand side of the vehicle (big black box) replace the # 3&4 fuse in the middle row. Don't just visual inspect -replace! and it should resolve the problem.

Chic

[awtfox]

Hi GottaHavaQ,

Did you fixed the problem ? ....my 94 Q45 just happen like yours ..pls advisehow you fix it.....tks

Willie

[HAMMERTHROW]

I am having similar problem with my Q45 blowing 10A #4 fuse when front end hits a bump. Did you get yours fixed?

[maxnix]

I am having similar problem with my Q45 blowing 10A #4 fuse when front end hits a bump.

OEM bulbs? Good sockets and wiring?

[HAMMERTHROW]

have not replaced any bulbs, checked the wiring that I could. Did get fuse to blow by hitting steering wheel while it was parked. Replaced fuse could not get it to blow again?? When fuse blows I lose instrument lights and only high beams work.

[TBrack]

I recently got the same problem and fixed it!

Well if you have an aftermarket stereo there was probably a leftover wire that controlled the dimmer for the oem stereo lights. If that wire was not crimped off and taped up it will touch the body and blow the fuse every time. Hope that is your problem also!

[96Qowner]

That'd be a nasty lil gremlin, eh?

[maxnix]

Ooooooh! Not good! Wire up a coil to his tool chest!

[Kiven422]

Do you have an aftermarket stereo? Wires could be shorting out if they are not properly sealed off or taped up. That can cause a fuse/couple of fuses to blow. If fuses blow on bumps this could most likely be the problem. Your lucky the whole instrument panel didn't blow (happend on a friends 240SX).

Did you replace your brakes recently? If the brake sensors are bad or the brakes were replaced without sensors that WILL cause your tail lights and interior lights to go out but the brake lights will still work... replacing a fuse will not fix that. You must splice the brake sensor wires (they are only on the right side) so they loop to each other instead of going to the sensor. That will fix your tail lights after you fix that and mess around with a couple of fuses.

A bad fuse? Theres an "Ill" fuse on the drivers side that should be replaced and a "Tail Lamp" fuse inside the relay box under the hood next to the battery in a black box. The headlight fuses are also there. There are a few more fuses but I just don't remember.

Bad Bulbs? Its best to use OEM bulbs (as some people have car problems with non-OEM).