Taillight Circuit Board Issues

Mikes96Z71 · 11-03-2008, 08:48 AM

Well since I got the truck in July of this year I've had to replace the driverside taillight circuit board. This last time I figured I'd check for shorts and did a continuity check on the plug of that circuit. Didn't hear any beeps and it seems as though everything was alright. I've got all new bulbs in the taillights as well.

I'm getting tired of dropping $20 on these boards.

Does anyone have any tips or suggestions on how to find the problem or common causes of this? Could it be the multi-function switch for the turn signals is bad causing premature wear on the driverside circuit board?

Thanks,
Mike

mudseeker · 11-03-2008, 10:55 PM

what year are we talking about?

gmctrucks · 11-04-2008, 12:01 AM

Put that electrical grease in the sockets before you place the bulb in also don't touch the bulbs with a greasy hands that might be causing a hot spot for the bulbs to get to hot and burn out.

Mikes96Z71 · 11-04-2008, 08:14 AM

My truck is a 1996 Silverado Z71.

The bulbs are new from the first time. I just figured I would replace all the bulbs and boards in July '08. I didn't put any bulb grease in the sockets but, wouldn't that protect the bulb from burning out or the board as well?

Thanks,
Mike

redneck 0991 · 11-04-2008, 08:53 PM

what is exactly wrong, are you burning out bulbs or are you having problems with your turn signals and break lights on the driver side. my 93 c 1500 has a problem with the driverside turn signal and break light. the plug on the wiring harness that the circut board connects to, the contact points are gettin worn out so every once in a while you have to pull the circut board and use a small screw driver and bend the contacts back in to where they are making a good connection with the circut board. hope this helps

Mikes96Z71 · 11-04-2008, 11:27 PM

I'm having problems with the taillight, turn signal, brake light, and back up light. The bulbs are all new and haven't burned out once. I just replaced them b/c they're cheap.

I might have to inspect the plug like redneck was talking about. That very well could be the problem.

-Mike

gmctrucks · 11-04-2008, 11:34 PM

Well since were talking about electrical problems my wipers circuit board mess up again tonight I have a new one but I might try to fix it again like I did years ago. And I hope you get the problem fixed on your lights.

Mikes96Z71 · 11-06-2008, 01:03 PM

Alright I'm getting ticked now. The turnsignal started doing the fast blink thing again. I took the plug off the taillight and with a small screwdriver bent the connectors to fit tighter. Sprayed contact cleaner for electrical components on the plug. Plugged it back in and still no turnsignal. The other lights light up just fine. I didn't check the lights before the cleaner and whatnot but I assume its just the bulb on its way out. Which it was a new bulb in July. I go to show my brother and the dang thing starts working again. I'm thinking my truck has some ghosts in it or something. I'm thinking I may go out and spend the money and get led bulbs.

I was thinking it could be the multi-switch on the steering wheel but I'm hoping its just the bulb. I wouldn't think taillights would **** me off so much. I need to go sit in the hot tub and get ready for shotgun season to start.

-Mike

87c10slammer · 11-06-2008, 11:00 PM

sometimes withthe led bulbs they will make the turnsignals plink faster so i would look out for that... i only had that problem with Specta set that i got... they were the cheappy ones so i am jsut assuming that was the problem but i never put a different set in that car but i do have them in my turn signals and parking lights in my jimmy and they work jsut fine but i paid 25 bucks per set... they look alot different then the cheap ones i got and are so much brighter then stock... i dunno if yu have noticed on the s10s when they are far away you cant see the turn signal on so that is why i got them...

but about your circut board issue.. have you checked the wires or anything electrical in depth.. it could be a loose ground or something.. when you hit a bump it looses contact and then re connects when you ht the next bump intermitantly... i would pull it apart and move it around withthe lights on and see if you can make it break the contact... and move you wire harnes around unde the truck

Mikes96Z71 · 12-02-2008, 11:45 PM

Well I found the problem!

I was installing the line of fire brake light/turnsignals between the bumper and tailgate area and I pulled the trailor wiring plug through and found some areas on the ground and another wire were bare. Well I installed a new wiring harness for back there and should be good as new. Those circuit boards aren't cheap. Glad I found the source of the problem. (crossing fingers)

Those line of fire things are cool. An extra safety modification never hurts. At least that's how I convince the wifey :P

-Mike

11-03-2008, 08:48 AM	#1
Mikes96Z71 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Southern MN Posts: 113	Taillight Circuit Board Issues Well since I got the truck in July of this year I've had to replace the driverside taillight circuit board. This last time I figured I'd check for shorts and did a continuity check on the plug of that circuit. Didn't hear any beeps and it seems as though everything was alright. I've got all new bulbs in the taillights as well. I'm getting tired of dropping $20 on these boards. Does anyone have any tips or suggestions on how to find the problem or common causes of this? Could it be the multi-function switch for the turn signals is bad causing premature wear on the driverside circuit board? Thanks, Mike

11-03-2008, 10:55 PM	#2
mudseeker Senior Moderator Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: michigan Posts: 6,375	what year are we talking about? __________________ i'd rather be hunting

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11-04-2008, 12:01 AM	#3
gmctrucks Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Houston,Texas Posts: 4,035	Put that electrical grease in the sockets before you place the bulb in also don't touch the bulbs with a greasy hands that might be causing a hot spot for the bulbs to get to hot and burn out.

11-04-2008, 08:14 AM	#4
Mikes96Z71 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Southern MN Posts: 113	My truck is a 1996 Silverado Z71. The bulbs are new from the first time. I just figured I would replace all the bulbs and boards in July '08. I didn't put any bulb grease in the sockets but, wouldn't that protect the bulb from burning out or the board as well? Thanks, Mike

11-04-2008, 08:53 PM	#5
redneck 0991 Full Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: siloam springs, ar Posts: 34	what is exactly wrong, are you burning out bulbs or are you having problems with your turn signals and break lights on the driver side. my 93 c 1500 has a problem with the driverside turn signal and break light. the plug on the wiring harness that the circut board connects to, the contact points are gettin worn out so every once in a while you have to pull the circut board and use a small screw driver and bend the contacts back in to where they are making a good connection with the circut board. hope this helps

11-04-2008, 11:27 PM	#6
Mikes96Z71 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Southern MN Posts: 113	I'm having problems with the taillight, turn signal, brake light, and back up light. The bulbs are all new and haven't burned out once. I just replaced them b/c they're cheap. I might have to inspect the plug like redneck was talking about. That very well could be the problem. -Mike

11-04-2008, 11:34 PM	#7
gmctrucks Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Houston,Texas Posts: 4,035	Well since were talking about electrical problems my wipers circuit board mess up again tonight I have a new one but I might try to fix it again like I did years ago. And I hope you get the problem fixed on your lights.

11-06-2008, 01:03 PM	#8
Mikes96Z71 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Southern MN Posts: 113	Alright I'm getting ticked now. The turnsignal started doing the fast blink thing again. I took the plug off the taillight and with a small screwdriver bent the connectors to fit tighter. Sprayed contact cleaner for electrical components on the plug. Plugged it back in and still no turnsignal. The other lights light up just fine. I didn't check the lights before the cleaner and whatnot but I assume its just the bulb on its way out. Which it was a new bulb in July. I go to show my brother and the dang thing starts working again. I'm thinking my truck has some ghosts in it or something. I'm thinking I may go out and spend the money and get led bulbs. I was thinking it could be the multi-switch on the steering wheel but I'm hoping its just the bulb. I wouldn't think taillights would **** me off so much. I need to go sit in the hot tub and get ready for shotgun season to start. -Mike

11-06-2008, 11:00 PM	#9
87c10slammer Banned Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: levittown pa Posts: 2,197	sometimes withthe led bulbs they will make the turnsignals plink faster so i would look out for that... i only had that problem with Specta set that i got... they were the cheappy ones so i am jsut assuming that was the problem but i never put a different set in that car but i do have them in my turn signals and parking lights in my jimmy and they work jsut fine but i paid 25 bucks per set... they look alot different then the cheap ones i got and are so much brighter then stock... i dunno if yu have noticed on the s10s when they are far away you cant see the turn signal on so that is why i got them... but about your circut board issue.. have you checked the wires or anything electrical in depth.. it could be a loose ground or something.. when you hit a bump it looses contact and then re connects when you ht the next bump intermitantly... i would pull it apart and move it around withthe lights on and see if you can make it break the contact... and move you wire harnes around unde the truck

12-02-2008, 11:45 PM	#10
Mikes96Z71 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Southern MN Posts: 113	Well I found the problem! I was installing the line of fire brake light/turnsignals between the bumper and tailgate area and I pulled the trailor wiring plug through and found some areas on the ground and another wire were bare. Well I installed a new wiring harness for back there and should be good as new. Those circuit boards aren't cheap. Glad I found the source of the problem. (crossing fingers) Those line of fire things are cool. An extra safety modification never hurts. At least that's how I convince the wifey :P -Mike