Wierd problem

[Al]

I figure this is a shorting problem, but figured I would get some second opinions as well. I recently pulled a bunch of wiring out of the car that was not needed, to include the ECM loom, the ECM and the little box they hide in the right fender behind the overflow tank. While I was doing this I noticed the right brake light and blinker was inoperable, but everything else appeared normal as far as ligthing goes. I figured I had a bulb out and changed it. After I changed the bulb I checked the lights and the blinker/brake light worked again and then some. The license plate light also began blinking. I also discovered when I hit the brakes the dash lights come on. I turned on the headlights and the right side (front and back) no longer blinked and the brake light on that side didn't work. If I remove the bulb everything works fine except for the missing bulb. Any ideas on where to start looking (dash, rear light wring, etc.)? I'm hoping it's a simple short to find because I am no electrician. Thanks in advance, always.

 

[johnnycarlo]

It sounds like a ground problem with that pigtail that wasn't working.It will be a black wire I think.If it can't find ground it backfeeds through the taillight circuit to find it.

 

[Al]

I checked the wiring at the rear lights and didn't find anything obviously wrong. When you say to check the pigtail, are you talking about the wiring that was in the engine compartment or the ground that attaches directly to the lights? I hate wiring with a passion and it doesn't seem to like me either. #-o

 

[Doober]

X2 on the pigtail, I'd double check all the grounds for the wiring at the back. If you had one go bad it can make that happen.

 

[Al]

Thanks guys. I'll take a closer look.

 

[Al]

Update: This whole mess was caused by a lightbulb. The previous owner had put the wrong bulb in. It worked fine until the bulb burned out then when replacing the buld the new one didn't want to go in right, which caused the crazyness. It just took a while to get it seated right. I never would have thought it would be something so simple with how weird it was acting.