Tail Lights don't work (brake lights do work!)

[tetsu]

My 2003 300a has working bulbs in the back but the tail lights won't come on in any headlight switch position.

The brake lights work!

Aarrggh!

[FordNut]

How about the marker lights on the front corners?

[tetsu]

I think the marker lights are out too. Don't care nearly as much about them though.

[FordNut]

But it may be an important data point in diagnosing the problem. Sounds like it's not the rear wiring harness, maybe the fuse.

[SC Cheesehead]

But it may be an important data point in diagnosing the problem. Sounds like it's not the rear wiring harness, maybe the fuse.

Any chance it's the LCM? We typically focus on the headlights issues, but could the relay cause problems with other lights as well?

[tetsu]

How about the marker lights on the front corners?

Yes, the marker lights in the corners are also not working.

My cowl is also gunked up with leaves. (I'm going to try to take off
the cowl and clean the wiper thing out when I get back from my roadtrip
MKE-Memphis-Baltimore-MKE (In Memphis now.)

Didn't need my a/c yet this year either until I got down to St Louis. Turned it on and nuttin! :( Just had the compressor replaced under extended warranty 14 months ago.)

[bugsyc]

I know you posted this a while ago but,I'm having similar problem,did you get it fixed???What was the problem...

[cruzer]

I had the same problem and a friendly L/M mech told me to look under the dash---pull down on the shield over the LCM---there is a bright yellow wire going into the unit----I used needle nosed pliers and grabbed the yellow wire----and applied pressure toward the LCM as I wiggled it---I felt and heard a snap --8the lights have been good for about the last 5000 miles. Hope it works for you. Good luck. Maury

[yjmud]

on mine the wiring harness got pinched in between the body and the tail light causing a short to ground popping the fuse

[bugsyc]

I had the same problem and a friendly L/M mech told me to look under the dash---pull down on the shield over the LCM---there is a bright yellow wire going into the unit----I used needle nosed pliers and grabbed the yellow wire----and applied pressure toward the LCM as I wiggled it---I felt and heard a snap --8the lights have been good for about the last 5000 miles. Hope it works for you. Good luck. Maury
Thanks for the response.Is the yellow wire you're talking about look more like a hose???There is a yellow either very thick wire or a small hose over the LCM with black plastic ends on it.Is that what you're talking about???This is driving me nuts...All fuses checked out good...The car was not used in a few months,worked fine then.First time I use it,the tail lights and fog lights won't work...Thanks for any help...I took another look..The big yellow is a vacuum hose,so that's not it...Which yellow wire are you talking about???Is it one of the wires in a harness going to the LCM??

[cruzer]

It is a yellow wire going into the lcm from the wire bundle

[bugsyc]

Thanks,I'll try it...

[Misduh1sdatpast]

I'm having this same problem has anyone figured out what it is?

[fastblackmerc]

I'm having this same problem has anyone figured out what it is?

Check the fuse.
Check the headlight switch.
Mighty be the LCM.

[Meteorite]

In my case (same symptom, tail lamps out, but brake lights work), I found that this was caused by a loose connection at the uppermost wiring harness going into the back of the LCM.

I found that if I reached up under there and pressed in and/or up on the white colored wiring connector, I got my tail lamps (and front corner markers) back.

I still haven't found a permanent fix for this. Pushing on the harness, in my case, only keeps the lights working for about 24 hours at most, sometimes not even that long.

[fastblackmerc]

In my case (same symptom, tail lamps out, but brake lights work), I found that this was caused by a loose connection at the uppermost wiring harness going into the back of the LCM.

I found that if I reached up under there and pressed in and/or up on the white colored wiring connector, I got my tail lamps (and front corner markers) back.

I still haven't found a permanent fix for this. Pushing on the harness, in my case, only keeps the lights working for about 24 hours at most, sometimes not even that long. b
Next time the lights go out, tap the LCM. If they come on the relay inside the LCM is bad. Will Probably need to repair the LCM.

I can do that for you.

[Meteorite]

b
Next time the lights go out, tap the LCM. If they come on the relay inside the LCM is bad. Will Probably need to repair the LCM.

I can do that for you.

Thanks. This one has the higher amp external relay already. Headlights work. But one of the other relays could be bad. I don't think that tapping it works, though.

What I'd like to do is send you another LCM (from a Grand Marquis in a salvage yard) and have you do your magic on that one.

If you don't mind, PM me where to send it, and I will ship it right out to you.

[fastblackmerc]

In my case (same symptom, tail lamps out, but brake lights work), I found that this was caused by a loose connection at the uppermost wiring harness going into the back of the LCM.

I found that if I reached up under there and pressed in and/or up on the white colored wiring connector, I got my tail lamps (and front corner markers) back.

I still haven't found a permanent fix for this. Pushing on the harness, in my case, only keeps the lights working for about 24 hours at most, sometimes not even that long. b
Next time the lights go out, tap the LCM. If they come on the relay inside the LCM is bad. Will Probably need to repair the LCM.

I can do that for you.