Tail lights quit working... where to look

[chargerdon]

Ok, all lights had been working. 

Now the "tail lights" for tail, stop, rear side markers, license plate and 4 way hazard flasher quit.   The turn signals front and back continue to work, as does the front parking lights and front side markers, also my back up lights work.   

The fact that the rear turn signals work, tells me I'm getting good ground.   

Iv'e checked the fuses, manual says cavity three is for the stop lamps, and dome lamp.   The dome light works, so cavity three fuse must be good and making contact. 

Also, cavity 4 is for tail lamps, parking lamps and ignition switch lamp.   so checked it and the ignition switch lamp and front parking lamps and side lamps work, so It must be good. 

I am assuming that there is a connector somewhere not passing current.   Where should I look first?? 

[69bcuda]

A link that may help......................
 http://www.mymopar.com/index.php?pid=24

[chargerdon]

Thanks for the schematics link.   This schematic is a lot easier to follow than the diagrams in the 74 service manual.   Their a little too simple however, in that they do not show the fuse block in them, just the results.   

According to this the tail lights and stop light system have nothing in common, so, i might be fighting two separate problems.  I'm thinking at this point that it is either the "flat" connector at the steering column, or the fuse panel itself.   Going to start with my trusty volt meter tomorrow.   

Wish I had replaced the fuse block back when putting the car together...now...in the car its going to be a lot of work to try and replace it and the terminals are a little rusty.   

[chargerdon]

Ok got them all working again.  Two separate problems:

1) Tail lights and rear side marker lights ...   Took the "kick panel" off on drivers side to get to the 8 wire connector block connecting all of the rear lights to the wiring harness.    Simply disconnected it and tested and had power on the main feed to the tail lights.   Put it back together and they started working again.   So, that connector needs a good cleaning...   Later this weekend will take it apart and pop out each of the female ends and clean them one at a time.  Then do the same with the male connectors.   

2) The stop lights operate of fuse cavity three.   This fuse also operates the dome light which was working.   However, noticed that when the door was open so that dome light is on, if i then pushed on the brake pedal the dome light would go out.   Popped that fuse out cleaned it, cleaned the terminals as best i could and put the fuse back in and then the stop lights and dome light both worked.   So, the fuse was passing voltage but not enough current to operate the stop lights.   I have ordered a 8 connector blade type fuse holder.   When it arrives, will do the ugly work to take the wires out of the original fuse block and transfer to the new one.   The terminals in the old have too much corrosion on them to make good contact permanently.   So, will go thru this time consuming job when the new fuse block arrives. 

Just thought id let all know !!

[jimynick]

Thank you! Always good to hear how electrical problems get solved- they're the bane of our existence.