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Left rear tail light assembly '02 Chevy Venture

3 messages,  Last post on Aug 22, 2011 at 8:04 PM

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#1 of 3 Left rear tail light assembly '02 Chevy Venture by neustkg

Dec 18, 2010 (6:23 pm)

I've had problems with my left rear tail light assembly for a while. I replaced some bulbs that looked like they were out, but it seemed the circuit board (basically 4 sockets that snap into the red/yellow lens on back) had a bad socket. So I ordered a new one at an online car parts store. I put it in, but I noticed the wire assembly didn't snap in as well as the original. Had to force it in to get a good electrical connection--no snap fit. It worked fine for a few weeks, but then I noticed that when I hit the brakes, both turn signals lit up like the hazard lights, but no flashing. When I turn on the left turn signal, it works fine, but when I hit the brakes, the turn signal starts flashing faster (this is a sign of a burned out bulb in most GM vehicles). Let off the brakes and it flashes it's normal speed/cycle. I also noticed the traction control warning light came on. When I'd take the light assembly off and push the connection in, everything works fine for a while, but the above problem always comes back.
 
I returned the above circuit board and bought a genuine GM part from my Chevy dealer (electical plug snapped in like it's supposed to). Everything worked fine for a day or two, but then the above problem happened again.
 
I carefully test all the lights once the assembly is reattached to the car and everything works at first, but after driving, it seems to slide back to the same problem. I'm thinking there might be a short somewhere in the wires running to the plug that plugs into the circuit board. When everything is put back up against the car and bolted in, the wire could be touching metal and shorting out or a couple of wires could be touching somewhere. Any idea what my problem might be?

#2 of 3 Any answers?? by takeiteazy

Aug 22, 2011 (6:51 pm)

Hello!
 
I have this exact same problem with my 2002 Chevy Venture. What did you end up doing to fix the problem? Did you figure it out? If you did....can you tell me what you did and how you went about fixing the problem? I'd be grateful for any help you can give me.
 
Thanks!!

#3 of 3 Re: Any answers?? [takeiteazy] by neustkg

Aug 22, 2011 (8:04 pm)

Replying to: takeiteazy (Aug 22, 2011 6:51 pm)
Since no one answered to this post (except for you), I posted the same question on cartalk.com and someone helped me out. While I haven't fixed the problem, yet, I'm very sure it's a case of the wire harness shorting out intermetently. The harness is about $75 at the dealer (I haven't purchased it,yet), but the hard part is finding out where the splice points are. I think I found out, though. There is a cover you can take off when you open the hatch. I think it's a place for fuses. I think you can take it apart further. I just haven't had time to really look at it, plus, it's summer and pretty hot when I do have time.

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