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Tail lights and license plate lights not working

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True Blue Patriot

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
My 2007 - Tail lights and license plate lights are not working. Brake lights, turn signals, headlights and front signals are working.

I Checked all the fuses none are blown? Not sure what to check next?
Trailer hitch and harness were dealer installed, not after market.
Have not checked bulbs yet, however 4 bulbs not working all at the same time?
 
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#2 ·
Agree, probably not bulbs. Do you have an aftermarket tailgate lock, back-up camera, or anything else hooked up back there? If so, suspect that wiring.

You said you checked & no fuses are blown. Did you determine this by visual check only? If so, try swapping your tail light fuse with another of the same value & see if tail lights are still out. Are the back-up lights on the same fuse as the tail lights? If so, that is a dead give away as to where to look. Something's amiss with that circuit; if not the fuse then the wiring or ground.

And just to clarify, when you put your headlight switch in "Parking lights" position, your front parking lights are lit, but your rear tail lights are out???

If so, I'd suspect it might be a bad switch somewhere; either your brake light switch (might interact with tail lights?), or your back-up lights (reverse) switch. This is all just logical guess work, but that's where I'd look next.
 
Discussion starter · #3 ·
Tried today to fix problem still no luck. Bought a fuse tester and new fuses, swapped out the fuses and still no rear tail lights or license plate lights.

Also pulled all bulbs which were fine and not burnt or broken. Replaced bulbs with extras on hand still not lighting up.
Back up lights work. With headlight switch in parking lights position the front parking lights do work, but not the rears. Checked the connections to the trailer plug wiring, its still connected.

Not sure what to check next. Need help
 
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#4 ·
I dont know the RL wiring back there at all, but on a lot of the newer cars they add grounds in the vicinity of the harness connectors to complete the circuit for that set of connections. Another way of saying run a ground to one of the lights that is not working and see if it works. if so trace down the ground for that section of the harness. It may be corroded or broken.
 
#5 ·
What he said..... smart idea.

If all else fails, I'd suggest you hook up a trailer (or just jumper wires) to the trailer connector & see if you get tail lights on the trailer to work (or just check voltage at connector with a meter).
 
#6 ·
I'd put my money on a bad ground or a broken wire. It's likely located somewhere pretty far up because I'm assuming the tails and the license plate lights are on the same circuit. Follow all the wires from the bulbs out to the wiring connectors. I'm guessing there is a point where they all meet and are not getting power to that point.
 
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#8 ·
BCM = brake control module? I searched for that term in the FSM but came up empty.
 
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#9 ·
Body Control Module. If this was failing or faulty, EVERYTHING would be going wrong. I think it's a single wire connection somewhere up in the line that sends power or ground to just the tails and license plate bulbs.
 
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#10 ·
Body control module also 0 hits in the FSM.
 
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#11 ·
speedlever said:
BCM = brake control module? I searched for that term in the FSM but came up empty.
Click to expand...
Yeah, body control module

May not be an issue with this vehicle, but most new cars with built-in digital flashers are tied into the BCM (body control module) or BCU (body control unit).

I don't know if that's the case with this vehicle, but I figured it was worth mentioning

Nick C.
 
#12 ·
My search-fu must be on the blink. No luck with body control unit either.
 
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#14 ·
Diode Dynamics said:
Try PCM? Maybe?

Powertrain control module? It could just be your flasher relay FWIW. Is it clicking or anything?

Nick C.
Click to expand...
I would think that if the relay was bad, it would be only the turn signals. The bulbs in question are the tail lights and the license plate bulbs. I'm still putting my money on there being a wiring fault.
 
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#17 ·
+6 on the bad ground. Just because the dealer installed something doesn't mean they don't screw up
 
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#18 ·
We are having the same problem w/ our 2007 and after 3 trips to the dealer and a couple of switches changed out the mechanics were stumped and still have the problem was told by 2 different dealers it couldn't be the module. All started withing a few months after having a tonneau cover put on in 2007-a heavy one could that be the problem?
 
#19 ·
honda2007 said:
We are having the same problem w/ our 2007 and after 3 trips to the dealer and a couple of switches changed out the mechanics were stumped and still have the problem was told by 2 different dealers it couldn't be the module. All started withing a few months after having a tonneau cover put on in 2007-a heavy one could that be the problem?
Click to expand...
I truly think the close proximity of the tonneau cover installation and your lighting issue is purely coincidental. I don't see in any way how a tonneau cover could affect it. Basically, what you'll have to do is trace the wiring from the affected bulbs back and back and back with a multimeter until you find the source. You're obviously not going to have power at the bulbs, so if you trace it back connector by connector until you find good power, you'll at least be able to trace down which connector or wire contains the issue. A shop that specializes in auto electrical systems would be able to track this down in 20 minutes.
 
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#20 ·
IanRTL said:
I truly think the close proximity of the tonneau cover installation and your lighting issue is purely coincidental. I don't see in any way how a tonneau cover could affect it. Basically, what you'll have to do is trace the wiring from the affected bulbs back and back and back with a multimeter until you find the source. You're obviously not going to have power at the bulbs, so if you trace it back connector by connector until you find good power, you'll at least be able to trace down which connector or wire contains the issue. A shop that specializes in auto electrical systems would be able to track this down in 20 minutes.
Click to expand...
I agree 100% with that last part. If Honda "can't find" the problem, ask them if they'll reimburse you if you get it fixed a local electrical shop...... I bet that makes them rethink their resignation (maybe they'll send it there themselves?).

As far as the tonneau; it depends on what kind it is, in so much as how it is installed. IF (a big if) there were any holes drilled, or side panels of the bed removed, it's possible that the wiring for your lights was disturbed. It's a long shot at best, but not out of the realm of imagination (unless of course it's all a clamp on / bolt into existing holes kind of thing). I only mention any of this because I am very suspicious of any kind of coincidence when I have a malfunction of any kind. Never hurts to rule them out first.
 
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speedlever
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