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TR6 License plate lamp

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I

ichthos

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Got a problem I don’t understand with my license plate lamp. The license plate lamps do not come on. I tried using a test light. I grounded the tester to the body. When I touch anywhere on the lamp base, the light comes on. I would think that the tester should only come on when I touch the small metal button at the bottom of the socket. Any ideas on how to correct this? I have not had this car long, and have no idea what the PO has done. Any ideas are appreciated.
Kevin
 
Kevin - Remove the license plate lamp bulbs. Ground the test light to the car's body. Now touch the test light to the part of the bulb socket that carries the voltage. Does the test light go on?

You need to check that proper voltage is there, and where the voltage is going - with the bulbs out of the loop.

Tom M.
 
Last edited:
Thanks for the reply. I did take the bulbs out. The little knob at the bottom that touches the bottom of the bulb lights up the tester when I touch it. The odd thing to me is if I touch the lamp base anywhere with the test light, the tester lights up. I pulled the wires out, and it looks like the PO cut the two red wires and then twisted them back instead of unplugging it. I taped them for now to make sure they were not the problem. How do these bulbs get grounded? I still do not understand why there is voltage going to the entire base.
 
Kevin - is the lamp unit this one:

TRS-075_1.jpg

If there's power going to the entire frame of the unit, then you need to trace what wire is supplying the voltage to it. Wire supplying current should only be connected to the bottom of each "cylinder socket".

The ground for the bulbs is the entire lamp unit, which is bolted onto the frame of the car. Some guys add a separate wire to the unit, to provide a more stable ground. If there's an extra ground wire, maybe it's somehow connected to a voltage source. That's not good.

Tom M.
 
Yes remove the bulbs and test. It’s most likely lack of ground. If the bulbs are in when the test light lights it’s because the voltage is traveling through the filament.
 
Kevin - any progress?
 
Sorry, got busy with my job. Got them working. I am not really sure how I got them working. I did take the suggestion of running another ground. I also soldered in two new wires and cleaned the fitting they go into. In any case, thanks for the suggestions.
 
:applause:

Victory is sweet, eh?
Congrats!
 
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