no tail lights

[96LegacyWagon]

Okay, today on the way home from work I got pulled over twice for no tail lights. I was lucky to get off with a warning both times, but I do not want to be driving unsafely, yet I need to get to/from work on a regular basis, sometimes into the darkness. Anyways, what is a comprehensive list of what I can check as to why they are not working? As added information, my brake lights turn on, but not my tail lights. I have about 30 hours between shifts here, so anything that can be done, I need the info to get it done soon, so thanks in advance for any/all assistance you can offer!

[GTDrifter]

Try changing the bulbs and check your fuses

[02_Legacy]

definitely check the fuse and i know it may sound silly but make sure your lights are turned on. Headlights are always on as DRL's with subarus but the tail lights only come on if the headlight switch is turned on. Just making sure because some people may be used to headlights that come on automatically.

[96LegacyWagon]

It ended up being a 10amp fuse (which I put a 15 in this time). The break in the fuse was so small I didn't see it until I looked it up through those tons of pages in the pdfs chuck sent me a while back (so yes, Chuck, you helped me fix my car today). Thanks.

[02_Legacy]

The best way to test fuses is to invest in a test light, they are like $10 and all you do is hook the alligator clip to ground and then put the probe on the little metal tabs on the top of the fuse. If it lights on both tabs the fuse is good, if it only lights on one tab the fuse is bad. No need to pull all the fuses, you can do a whole fuse box in a minute.

[Wiscon_Mark]

...and then put the probe on the little metal tabs on the top of the fuse.

Maybe I'm misunderstanding you, but what metal tabs? You mean the contacts at the bottom?

[02_Legacy]

there is a little metal tab the goes through the top of the fuse, one tab is on each side of the number that indicates the fuse rating. This is the best pic that I can find.


Maybe tab is not the right word to use but it is kinda hard to explain.

[Wiscon_Mark]

Huh. I've never seen that on fuses before. I wonder if you have to buy certain brands?

Or maybe I'm just blind. I'll have to go down the garage and check this out.

Edit: I am blind. Sure enough....



Also - thread moved to electrical where it belongs.

[02_Legacy]

yep I have yet to see a fuse without those, at least the long flat ones like in the pics above, the block shaped ones don't but you don't need to remove those to see if they are blown.
Whenever I have an electrical problem I always take my test light and run through all the fuses. Like I said it takes less than a minute, its probably quicker than looking to see which one protects the circuit with the problem. Just make sure the key is on if you do this because most fuses are only powered with the key on.

[Reason]

Or you can buy smart fuse, its has an LED that lights up if the fuse is blown. I have about half my fuses done. They are pricey compared to traditional fuses. I've used these same fuses in 4 different cars, that in my car. About 4-5 years now and still haven't have one lite up yet.

[02_Legacy]

Ya I saw those, then I saw the price and didn't buy them. I don't get how they work though. I could see it working if it protected a circuit that went through a solenoid or component then directly to ground because as soon as the fuse blows now current goes through the bulb instead of the fuse and the light shines. However if the fuse protects a switched circuit I don't think the light will light up unless the switch is closed providing a path to ground. Now i'm curious, you should sacrifice one of your fuses for this experiment. Blow the fuse that powers the cigarette lighter. That circuit should dead end at the power outlet providing no path to ground. I'll bet the light doesn't come on until you plug something into the lighter.

[Wiscon_Mark]

I think it's because cars use a switched ground system a majority of the time. There's probably a little capacitor in there that provides the juice. I can't see how they'd work otherwise, unless the circuit is self contained.