Archived No Tail Lights everything else works

[grimesja]

I have a serious problem discovered last night on my daily driver a 2001 Ram 2500. I was notified that I did not have taillights, I checked the system. I hace turn signals, brakes, emergeny flashers but no tail lights on either side. I do not see a fuse in either fus e panel the one under the hood or the one of the driver's side. am I missing something here. The bulbs are good ther is just no power going to the taillight. I read the shop manual, but I really thing it is useless on this subject. Please help with this one.

 

[bigdaddydieseldan]

how do you know the bulbs are good did you test them ? it sounds like a blown fuse to me which I believe is in the truck on the drivers side fuse panel it may not be labeled what you think it should be labeled check all the fuses

 

[DBentley]

do you have front running lights working?

If not mabey the dreaded burnt headlight switch.

Do you smell plastic melting in cab? if yes check the switch and the molex plug that feeds it.

 

[GAmes]

The tail light fuse also powers the dash light circuit. Are your instrument lights working? Are the front parking lights working? On a 97 the fuse is on the botton row in the fuse panel, left side of the dash.

 

[grimesja]

Thansk for all the help, found a chaffed wire under the left fender connection.