Maxima Forums - View Single Post - *NOOBIES* The "I am new here,but have a question" thread..(post your questions here)

SparrowHawk · 12-11-2007, 01:34 PM

Looks like the thread I originally posted to is gone. Anyway, I'd like to thank the person who suggested checking my tail lights for a corroded bulb and or socket.
My problem was that I lost my tail lights and dash board lights, applying the brakes caused the dash board lights to illuminate and I'll assume the tail lights as well. (I late confirmed this in regard to the tail lights.) An electrical automotive wiz I know said, he knew of a problem with the multi purpose stalk switch for the lighting controls. Well, I purchased one from an Ebay auction and replaced mine, it did not solve the problem. I tried another stalk switch and still the problem persisted.
I turned to the web for answers and found this forum. After carefully re-reading the T.O.S. posts, I have learned about the 15 post rule. (Sorry, to the mod's for emailing my question(s) about not being able to post a question.) Unable to search and with no suggestions using google, I posted to a what I thought was a similar thread and posed my question.
I was surprised when I was answered back with "check your tail lights..". Today, I checked my tail lights, first unplugging the terminal from the right circuit board, I replaced the blow fuse and the problem went away. Upon further inspection of the circuit board; I found the socket for the upper most bulb corroded with the solder from the bottom of the bulb. I have since cleaned this socket and replaced the bulb with a brand new one, coated the contacts in both the socket and on the bottom of the bulb with di-electric grease, reassembled everything and the problem has gone away. (I greased all the tail light assembly bulbs in both units, in hopes of preventing further problems.)
Little would I have ever imagined that such a small problem could cause such a failure of my tail and dash light. Live and learn.
Again thank you to all who responded positively to my post.

12-11-2007, 01:34 PM	#7
SparrowHawk Not new to cars! 1989 Maxima Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Lower New York State iTrader: (0) Posts: 11	Tail light, dash light problem fixed!! Looks like the thread I originally posted to is gone. Anyway, I'd like to thank the person who suggested checking my tail lights for a corroded bulb and or socket. My problem was that I lost my tail lights and dash board lights, applying the brakes caused the dash board lights to illuminate and I'll assume the tail lights as well. (I late confirmed this in regard to the tail lights.) An electrical automotive wiz I know said, he knew of a problem with the multi purpose stalk switch for the lighting controls. Well, I purchased one from an Ebay auction and replaced mine, it did not solve the problem. I tried another stalk switch and still the problem persisted. I turned to the web for answers and found this forum. After carefully re-reading the T.O.S. posts, I have learned about the 15 post rule. (Sorry, to the mod's for emailing my question(s) about not being able to post a question.) Unable to search and with no suggestions using google, I posted to a what I thought was a similar thread and posed my question. I was surprised when I was answered back with "check your tail lights..". Today, I checked my tail lights, first unplugging the terminal from the right circuit board, I replaced the blow fuse and the problem went away. Upon further inspection of the circuit board; I found the socket for the upper most bulb corroded with the solder from the bottom of the bulb. I have since cleaned this socket and replaced the bulb with a brand new one, coated the contacts in both the socket and on the bottom of the bulb with di-electric grease, reassembled everything and the problem has gone away. (I greased all the tail light assembly bulbs in both units, in hopes of preventing further problems.) Little would I have ever imagined that such a small problem could cause such a failure of my tail and dash light. Live and learn. Again thank you to all who responded positively to my post. Last edited by SparrowHawk; 12-11-2007 at 02:02 PM.