So I got pulled over the other night for having a tail light out....the only issue I have is the fact that last week I replaced the bulb in the tail light. Everything's hooked up and the bulb is brand new. But for some reason that one tail light will not freakin turn on! Any trouble shooting ideas?

 

Does the blinker work or freeze? Do the 4-way's work? <-- For this side/bulb Does it not work at all?

Make sure all the connections are solid. Check the wires for pinched, cut lines...

 

make sure it is getting power. could have been a bad bulb you bought or you touched the glass and got oil on it so it burned out

 

The blinkers dont work, it seems like there's no power going to it. I checked fuses, and the bulb was fine.

 

Do you have a tester? Just to see if the wires coming up are hot... Ground it and test each wire. If you aren't getting any power, you have a short somewhere in the line...

 

It doesn't matter if you touch the glass on a tail light. Its glass, not halogen. Its not going to be a fuse either if only one side is causing you problems. Do ad ADIDASS suggested and test for power. Could be connector or wiring.
How does the connector look? Any corrosion on the points of contact?

 

I'm not 100% sure on this so don't quote me...but I think turn signals and 4-ways (Hazard Lights) are different relays. So just because a turn signal doesn't work...doesn't mean 4 ways wont. I might be misunderstanding what you are saying, but I have the electrical schematics right here for cobalts.

 

hahahahahaha i give everyone permission to laugh in my face...

I took the light off and got to the bulb and discovered the bulb was never pushed fully into it's socket. . . Magically it works now!

On another note, there is a tiny little bulb in the corner of 4dr tail lights thats blown out, but im not sure what it does. Can anyone tell me what its used for?

 

That would be your reverse light.

 

 

Glad it was that simple...future reference check the bulb filament first then fuse if it went out hope the bulb wire burning shorted the circuit and blewthe fuse. If the fuse is ok then check the socket for power Otherwise u/have alot/morework trying to find short along the circuit. A pinched or broken wire either from the factory or fr aftermarketr installations

 

not that bulb. Its in the outside corner, its super tiny

not that bulb. Its in the outside corner, its super tiny

 

It's a side illumination bulb in the taillight for if your main bulb goes out, this one still keeps the light illuminated a little bit.

should be a 194 bulb.

 

^^^ doh, didn't think of that one. Forgot the sedans don't have the seperate side marker