2000 Carerra Cab C2 Rear tail Light issues

[TimEuler_73214]

My 996 has a few bulbs that are not working in the tail lights. Not the required ones like Brake, Turn etc.. I guess these would be the driving lights. anyway I bought new bulbs and this did not help. I then switched a working bulb from Driver to Pass side and still no light.

Seems to me the harnesses on both sides are bad. So the gist of my question is this. How can I prove my theory? How do I know it is not deeper into the the rear end harness. Can I use a multimeter somewhere and if so how? also I have square connectors that attach the light harness to the car 3 pins on each side. Does anyone have a diagram as to what the six pins do? Can I test them with a MM and if so how do I do it.

Just don't want to drop $300.00 on 2 new harnesses and find out it is something else.

Tim

[Loren]

Are you sure it is not a bad headlight switch?

[TimEuler_73214]

Good question. The normal lights all work Loren. Forgive my ignorance here I will try to explain as intelligently as I can. The lights that don't work are the ones that are associated with a PULL on the light switch. It seems to me there are two positions that are offered when you pull the light switch. The first pull engages fog lights with a green indicator displayed in the light switch. The next pull (the one that has problems) turns on what I can only call driving lights? in the rear. This causes an Amber light to display on the light switch. Now when the green and amber indicators are on, the Driver side rear Tail light has one new light that lights up but the other one does not. On the passenger side those two middle bulbs do not light up at all. So one bulb works on the driver side and one does not and the passenger side both bulbs associated with the Amber pull don't light up. I replaced all three bulbs and still nothing. I then took the working bulb on the Driver side and swapped it into the same position on the Passenger side and still nothing.

I assumed it was the Harness on both sides that was bad. But could it infact be the light switch? is that easy to replace? how can I test it? Thank you so much for helping me again.

[Loren]

All the lights go through that switch.

Your car is 11 years old. The headlight switches wear out - plain and simple.

Sometimes you can wiggle the switch while the lights are on something changes - then you know for sure the switch is bad.

It would be more likely the switch IMHO unless the car has been in an accident.

[TimEuler_73214]

How difficult is it for me to change the switch? does it simply pull out?

would you happen to know the part number I would need to order?

Thanks

[TimEuler_73214]

No Accident ...

[Loren]

DIY Tutorial is here:

http://www.renntech....ch-in-the-dash/

996-613-535-00 Headlight switch -- US MSRP $128.20

I am sure Sunset, Suncoast, or Pelican all have it cheaper...

[logray]

The next pull (the one that has problems) turns on what I can only call driving lights? in the rear. This causes an Amber light to display on the light switch. Now when the green and amber indicators are on, the Driver side rear Tail light has one new light that lights up but the other one does not. On the passenger side those two middle bulbs do not light up at all.

What you describe is the functionality of the rear fog lamp. Having only a single rear fog light on is by design and required in most foreign countries, especially in Europe.

[Loren]

The next pull (the one that has problems) turns on what I can only call driving lights? in the rear. This causes an Amber light to display on the light switch. Now when the green and amber indicators are on, the Driver side rear Tail light has one new light that lights up but the other one does not. On the passenger side those two middle bulbs do not light up at all.

What you describe is the functionality of the rear fog lamp. Having only a single rear fog light on is by design and required in most foreign countries, especially in Europe.

Good catch - I totally missed that.