22 captured repliesDiscussion pagination complete · Source accounts, not a confirmed diagnosis
THIS DISCUSSION / SOURCE-DERIVED OVERVIEW
Discussion summary
YOUR RESEARCH996 Tail lights won't turn on!!!
Reported repair
Replace wiring harnesses inside the tail light assembly
Reported resolution
1
Reported fixes
0
Unsuccessful attempts
1
Discussions
Read evidence and context
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Discussions that report a fix
1
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Reported fix
Replaced the wiring harnesses inside the tail light assembly and problem solved.
Leading evidence: 'Replace wiring harnesses inside the tail light assembly' (1 discussions report resolution; 0 report an unsuccessful attempt). Across 1 matching discussions, The most frequently discussed action is 'Replace wiring harnesses inside the tail light assembly' (1 discussions). For that action, 1 discussions report a resolution and 0 report an unsuccessful attempt. The most frequently reported fix is 'Replace wiring harnesses inside the tail light assembly', supported by resolution reports in 1 discussions. These are forum reports and suggestions, not a confirmed diagnosis.
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Performed · outcome unconfirmed · Original poster
Also, the wiring harness that I replaced has new contacts connectors for each bulb.....
Explicit resolution reports before identified causes, performed actions and suggestions. Within each level, matching component labels precede direct query mentions and inherited thread context; successful versus unsuccessful discussion counts, owner confirmations and independent discussion support determine order. This is not a probability of success.
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Performed · outcome unconfirmed
Looks like inside lights also stay on when closing the door, will shut off when I set the alarm to lock the doors.
Explicit resolution reports before identified causes, performed actions and suggestions. Within each level, matching component labels precede direct query mentions and inherited thread context; successful versus unsuccessful discussion counts, owner confirmations and independent discussion support determine order. This is not a probability of success.
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Suggestion · Original poster
The brake lights come on when the brakes are applied...the reverse lights come on when the car is in reverse...I checked the fuses and replaced them....I checked and replaced the wiring harnesses on both sides...I checked the bulbs and replaced them as well....I read online regarding the possibility of a bad turn signal relay....I replaced that as well....Any suggestions on how to tackle this problem?
Explicit resolution reports before identified causes, performed actions and suggestions. Within each level, matching component labels precede direct query mentions and inherited thread context; successful versus unsuccessful discussion counts, owner confirmations and independent discussion support determine order. This is not a probability of success.
Discussions that contain suggestions
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0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.
0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Suggestion · Original poster
The brake lights come on when the brakes are applied...the reverse lights come on when the car is in reverse...I checked the fuses and replaced them....I checked and replaced the wiring harnesses on both sides...I checked the bulbs and replaced them as well....I read online regarding the possibility of a bad turn signal relay....I replaced that as well....Any suggestions on how to tackle this problem?
0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.
0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Suggestion · Original poster
The brake lights come on when the brakes are applied...the reverse lights come on when the car is in reverse...I checked the fuses and replaced them....I checked and replaced the wiring harnesses on both sides...I checked the bulbs and replaced them as well....I read online regarding the possibility of a bad turn signal relay....I replaced that as well....Any suggestions on how to tackle this problem?
0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.
0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Suggestion · Original poster
I just checked and the tag lights are not working...I haven't tried to replace the bulbs....I had a similar problem with our BMW and it end up being the tag lights...However, there was an indicator to assist with locating the problem......I can try that this afternoon
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Suggestion · Original poster
The brake lights come on when the brakes are applied...the reverse lights come on when the car is in reverse...I checked the fuses and replaced them....I checked and replaced the wiring harnesses on both sides...I checked the bulbs and replaced them as well....I read online regarding the possibility of a bad turn signal relay....I replaced that as well....Any suggestions on how to tackle this problem?
Counts describe captured discussions, not unique people or a diagnosis. Author identities are not reliably stored. Exact duplicate evidence is counted once across matching discussions; one discussion counts at most once per action/state. Multiple repairs reported together remain a combination. Suggestions and failed attempts do not establish a fix. Matches cover whole discussions and can include related faults, model variants and incomplete threads.
22 eligible posts · 0 unverified posts · 1 discussions match the subject in their title or opening post.
Rennlist: 1 discussions
0 evidence records excluded for query context · 1 excluded by outcome qualification · 0 adjusted by outcome qualification.
0 acknowledgements have no verified action link; they do not establish a repair result.
Generation: 20261026T061123Z · outcome-qualification-6. Deterministic extraction; no AI model inference. How we use sources
My wife has a 2002 996 Cabriolet....And I've been deemed the mechanic...The Tail lights will not turn on...The headlights come on and the turn signal lights work on the front and rear of the car...The running lights on the rear/tail lights will not come on. The brake lights come on when the brakes are applied...the reverse lights come on when the car is in reverse...I checked the fuses and replaced them....I checked and replaced the wiring harnesses on both sides...I checked the bulbs and replaced them as well....I read online regarding the possibility of a bad turn signal relay....I replaced that as well....Any suggestions on how to tackle this problem?
Did they ever work? The bulbs should have double filaments. Also check the contact at the bottom of the bulb holder. They tend to break and you can carefully pry up the contact a little.
Do the side markers on the tail lights come on? Fuse A3 checked?
The rear side marks on the tail lights are on the exact same circuit as the rear lights so if the rear side markers work, there's power on the circuit. So the only explanation is either the power doesn't get to the double filament bulbs or the bulbs are bad.
You may need to do some lower level troubleshooting. Agree it's a mystery for now.
Right, I found that out...I did switch them out as well....I was trying to rule out anything by replacing the inexpensive items while trouble shooting each step....I'm thinking it's the connection between the wiring harness connection and the main switch up front....Your thoughts?
I just checked and the tag lights are not working...I haven't tried to replace the bulbs....I had a similar problem with our BMW and it end up being the tag lights...However, there was an indicator to assist with locating the problem......I can try that this afternoon
If it's the main light switch, I would expect the rear side markers will not light up. See how the rear side markers taps power from the rear lights on pin A5?
Rearlight.jpg
So I replaced the tag lights, hoping this would fix it...Not a chance! I rechecked the fuses as well....I'm thinking it's the main light switch that controls the front and rear....I'll trouble shoot a little more per your diagram...More to follow!
Having same problem on my Porsche 2000, Carrera cabriolet.
Both tail lights out, brake lights working. Plate light not working. Looks like inside lights also stay on when closing the door, will shut off when I set the alarm to lock the doors.
Headlights working fine. Signal lights working fine. Reverse light working fine. Any advice? Was the problem resolved in this question above?
Thank you.
Interior lights should time out whether you lock the car or not, so that may be normal. Taillights...make sure that the sockets don't have a broken "flat spring" connection point that the bulb contacts. I had no brake lights when I got my car and found this defect. Replaced the wiring harnesses inside the tail light assembly and problem solved.
car ..2004 C4S...40K...I have experienced taillights which don�t come on and as well front side marker when parking lights are initiated at the light switch. However when the light switch is turn to first position both front side markers work but not the left taillight. I switched the taillight harness and the left harness works on the right Side so the harness and bulbs are fine. I need to test to see if power is getting to the harness by hopscotching back to the switch which may be the problem. Would it make sense to check contact on switch? Any help appreciated
car ..2004 C4S...40K...I have experienced taillights which don’t come on and as well front side marker when parking lights are initiated at the light switch. However when the light switch is turn to first position both front side markers work but not the left taillight. I switched the taillight harness and the left harness works on the right Side so the harness and bulbs are fine. I need to test to see if power is getting to the harness by hopscotching back to the switch which may be the problem. Would it make sense to check contact on switch? Any help appreciated.
what did it end up being slocumb?
Just wanted to add that my turn signals are working so harnesses are conducting power. I was concerned a rodent had bitten the wire. Beginning to appear as a multifunction switch (anyone remember those switches on GM vehicles were the source of many headaches. I start poking around with my meter. The EWDs in Bentley manual are great ad I’m trying to find common connection points and relays. Any comments or similarities let me know?
thank p guys gals
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