Did the tailight fix but the d*mn light won't go out

[MooseX]

I'm about to sell my Xi. In order to smog it I believe NO dash lights can be on...no matter what it is

It's been awhile since I did the 'fix' AND replaced all the bulbs ect...also searched the net but I'm coming up short for threads addressing my problem

sorry but it needs to be fixed by manana..dude is comin over early with cash$$

[BavarianZHP]

How many BOW's do you have? It is just on one side or both? Any others? Is it intermittent? How long has it been occurring? If you've already had the tail recall, I would first check the bulb (visually and voltmeter). If the bulb is fine, check the ground connection when the taillight recall was done. Just clamp down on it with some needle nose to ensure the crimp is tight. I had a BOW warning on one side even though the bulb was fine. I did eventually replace the entire assembly when my clears arrived which fixed the problem so I'm assuming it was a ground issue.

[MooseX]

Just the one light...bulb is good. both tailights work. Maybe I'll crank on the ground...

[BavarianZHP]

Wouldn't hurt swapping bulbs to ensure the bulb is fine as well since you're already in there.

[MooseX]

well it doesn't matter now. GF backed into a bus stop bench last nite'...a solid steel bench.

Miracles!.. she only destroyed the tailight lense..whew. Damn..It's like how the hell did she not hit any bodywork?
If you saw her new Focus you'd think it was in some kind of new car demo' derby.

I guess I'm getting a whole assembly after all. 50 bux from European Recycling in RC'

[fredo]

Wow, what a quick "fix" you found !
Is the guy still buying tomorrow ?

[MooseX]

yeah took only 10 seconds..anyone can do that DIY

I think he's a buyer. meeting tomorrow sometime

[JupiterBMW]

It's like how the hell did she not hit any bodywork?

I fell asleep at the wheel on the freeway once and hit the center concrete wall doing about 70... Somehow, the wall kicked me off and there wasn't a scratch on the car. Granted, I shredded the drivers front wheel and tire, but the body never touched the wall...

Good thing too because it was a friend's car. :eeps

[MooseX]

OK I just replaced the whole tailight assembly...and a new bulb. Damn..still got the dash light. The ground is pretty tight too.

[LivesNearCostco]

Check the bulbs in the other assemblies, including the ones on the trunk lid. A failing bulb or corroded bulb socket could cause the light out indicator even if the bulb still lights ups.

[MooseX]

it's a left tailight fault but I'll check em all. It did clear smog despite the fault. potential buyers are calling all the time..yeah

[BavarianZHP]

So a new assembly doesn't work? Well, could be the pin connector. Take a voltmeter to it and see if you can find 12V. Then connect it to the assembly and carefully see if it reads 12V in the bulb socket as well. Be careful.

[MooseX]

ok the light went out...then 3miles down the road the fkr came back on. rethinking the ground..and checking for loose sockets

[BavarianZHP]

Interesting. Also make sure the contacts are all clean.