98 Tahoe weird tail light/brake light/hazard light/blinker problem NEED HELP

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BrianBrianBrian

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I've copied the title of this thread from another thread with almost the identical problem. Not that it really matters, but mine is a 98 2 dr. My reason for the new thread is that the other thread is pretty old and the ultimate answer to solve their issue has not solved mine?


99 Tahoe weird tail light/brake light/hazard light/blinker problem NEED HELP



So I'm at a loss as to what is happening with my tail lights. To bring everyone up to speed, here are the things I've done so far to try and fix this craziness.

  • All six bulbs replaced
  • New taillight housing
  • New taillight circuit boards
  • Used a wire brush to clean the ground connection
The DRIVER side seems to be working fine, however the PASSENGER side is the one with problems.
Please watch the video I’ve included, it pretty much sums it up.


When the headlights are set to OFF, and DRL active:
  • Everything seems semi normal.
When the headlights are set to ON, and DRL in-active:
  • Passenger taillight goes out when the brake is applied
  • Passenger taillight blinker blinks rapidly like when you have a blown bulb
  • In REVERSE and DRIVE, passenger taillight turns OFF when brake is applied

Things to note:
  • There is a trailering wire setup. Installed a long time ago before this problem occurred. I checked over the wires and didn’t notice any loose wires. Everything seemed to be wrapped up pretty tight.
  • Not sure if it matters, ABS light is on and has been on for a long time. Pretty sure that’s related to something else but who knows at this point. Just thought I’d point that out.
  • Main battery terminal wires are all new
  • Alternator is new

While many others have reported similar problems, the answers that solved their issue I’ve tried and to no avail. Some have mentioned the MULTI-Switch. Are there ways to test the MULTI-Switch without tearing everything a part? The way I see it, there’s obviously power going to the taillights but the synchronization is funky, which leads me to think wires are crossed. That thought however has holes in it because the wires have never been spliced or messed with other than the time a trailer brake harness was installed and the lights have worked just fine for many years after any of that was done. Someone mentioned the ground wires, well cleaned the grounds and said a prayer...NOPE.


Anywho….I appreciate anyone’s help or suggestions on this


-Brian
 

SunlitComet

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i believe you have a minor short in that right tail or it wiring. i think that when i see the right turn blink fast and take the reverse with it. fed by two separate switches and circuits but closest they get to each other is in the tail assembly.
 

Stick

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Brake switch. The one on the top of the steering column. The points inside will have corrosion (possibly even burn holes on) between them causing obvious tail light issues. I had an entire detail of how to remove it and check and repair It but unless you need me to, I'll save you the read. Let me know if needed.
If not I'd look into that trailer control itself, disconnect the power to it and see. Does the control even light up at all after you adjust the slide button?
 
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dank_ware

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I've copied the title of this thread from another thread with almost the identical problem. Not that it really matters, but mine is a 98 2 dr. My reason for the new thread is that the other thread is pretty old and the ultimate answer to solve their issue has not solved mine?


99 Tahoe weird tail light/brake light/hazard light/blinker problem NEED HELP



So I'm at a loss as to what is happening with my tail lights. To bring everyone up to speed, here are the things I've done so far to try and fix this craziness.

  • All six bulbs replaced
  • New taillight housing
  • New taillight circuit boards
  • Used a wire brush to clean the ground connection
The DRIVER side seems to be working fine, however the PASSENGER side is the one with problems.
Please watch the video I’ve included, it pretty much sums it up.


When the headlights are set to OFF, and DRL active:
  • Everything seems semi normal.
When the headlights are set to ON, and DRL in-active:
  • Passenger taillight goes out when the brake is applied
  • Passenger taillight blinker blinks rapidly like when you have a blown bulb
  • In REVERSE and DRIVE, passenger taillight turns OFF when brake is applied

Things to note:
  • There is a trailering wire setup. Installed a long time ago before this problem occurred. I checked over the wires and didn’t notice any loose wires. Everything seemed to be wrapped up pretty tight.
  • Not sure if it matters, ABS light is on and has been on for a long time. Pretty sure that’s related to something else but who knows at this point. Just thought I’d point that out.
  • Main battery terminal wires are all new
  • Alternator is new

While many others have reported similar problems, the answers that solved their issue I’ve tried and to no avail. Some have mentioned the MULTI-Switch. Are there ways to test the MULTI-Switch without tearing everything a part? The way I see it, there’s obviously power going to the taillights but the synchronization is funky, which leads me to think wires are crossed. That thought however has holes in it because the wires have never been spliced or messed with other than the time a trailer brake harness was installed and the lights have worked just fine for many years after any of that was done. Someone mentioned the ground wires, well cleaned the grounds and said a prayer...NOPE.


Anywho….I appreciate anyone’s help or suggestions on this


-Brian
 

dank_ware

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My Yukon is doing the EXACT same thing. However, mine is a 2007 and it is the driver side having the problem. Did you find a solution?
 

1_8TTony

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Have you tried disconnecting the connectors on the back side of the light switch. I believe there are two sockets. One for the main switch and one for the dash dimmer knob.

With the switch disconnected, see what the situation is. You should still have brake lights, turn signal lights and hazard lights since those circuits are associated together and they should function as normal...............WHILE they are functioning as they supposed to, you should reconnect the light switch connector and see if they begin to malfunction. It's something to try.

I'd bet money that the switch goes bad before any of the wiring.
 

TigerEyz3

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My vote is the problem is in the multi-function switch.

One thing I didn't see or read about your situation is whether your hazard light functions were normal. Reason I mention that is because I had a problem with my passenger side taillight that eventually migrated to the brakelights not working (3rd light worked fine as did the hazards). Like yourself, I replaced the circuit board and that worked for a while - eventually changed out to LEDS, but still had the problem. Finally bit the bullet and replaced the multi-function switch on the column... everything has worked as expected since then.
 

RED TAHOE LS

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other than the time a trailer brake harness was installed??????????

I know it has worked after the above was done, but I would want to completely disconnect that portion from the system, I think then you will find your problem. JMHO and good luck.
David g......................:)
 
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