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Voltage problems


rwenzel
03-18-2005, 07:22 AM
I have a problem with my rear back up lights. They appear off so I changed the bulbs and that did not help. I changed the Switch on/in the transmission and that did not help so I did a voltage test at the lights and I am only getting 3.5 volts of power to the bulbs. What might be causing this to happen or is this what it is supposed to be.

Any suggestions to get my backup lights to work again?

Thanks rwenzel

theFREAKnasty82
03-19-2005, 09:13 AM
check your grounds, make sure they're not corroded/rusted or pitted. Clean them up and put some dielectric grease on them and hook it back up and see what happens.

1thunder
03-19-2005, 10:30 AM
i don't understand what your ground has to do with low voltage?????? i must have missed something on all my electronics courses!!!!!!!!

rwenzel
03-19-2005, 08:30 PM
I was thinking maybe it was a short or a partially broken fuse.

redgoman
03-19-2005, 09:07 PM
I think what he means is its like the engine will run with a bad ground but wont run very good. Its like in the older days with the coil; you can hook it up backwards and the car will run but not very good.

rwenzel
03-20-2005, 05:21 AM
Well I will look at the grounds and get them cleaned up and will let you know what I find.

theFREAKnasty82
03-20-2005, 02:40 PM
i don't understand what your ground has to do with low voltage?????? i must have missed something on all my electronics courses!!!!!!!!

Basic electricity, my friend; you need a power source, a load, and a ground. Without any of the three, it will not work or work improperly. He obviously has a 12 volt power source now, he has a bad or corroded ground; that will cause a voltage drop.

1thunder
03-20-2005, 03:33 PM
Oh i would have thought that when he said he did a voltage test he grounded his meter to a known good ground and only then check voltage other wise he would have done a voltage drop test to comply with your BASIC ELECTRICITY THEORY freaky

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