Under Tailgate Lights Dim

[btfarm]

I have the 3 dually light bar under my tailgate. I spliced them into the license light circuit many years ago and they've been trouble free. I see they are very dim now. Does this mean that it's failing or a bad ground? Haven't looked around under there yet... Too damn hot!

 

[RayMich]

Sounds like a corroded ground to me. Typically these lights ground directly to the frame. But over the years, corrosion will get under the bracket and increase the electrical resistance to ground, causing the lights to get dimmer.

I've had the same problem with snowmobile trailers. Ultimately, I ended up running a separate ground wire to each tail-light and running light and ran it all the way up to the ground wire at hitch connector.

In your case, you'll probably just need to clean the rust under the light's bracket and probably solve the problem. Also check out the engine-to-body ground. Those also need attention periodically, especially in 'salt country'.

 

[Edzzed]

You can easily replace the offending lights with LED. That's what I did and they are a whole lot brighter. Here is a link to some These will work if you want to individually replace them http://www.princessauto.com/pal/product/8122210/Clearance-%26-Marker-Lights/2-7/8-x-1-1/2-in.-LED-Mini-Clearance/Marker-Light Or you can buy the whole unit here http://www.princessauto.com/pal/product/8186603/Clearance-%26-Marker-Lights/17-in.-Clearance/Marker-LED-Trailer-Light-Bar As for the first link, The reason I know they will fit is I bought 12 of them and mounted them on an aluminum bar to use as turn brake signals with the outer ones being running lights. I also bought the 2nd link stuff and replaced my center running lights. The led's are identical to either link. Just that one has the chrome mounts and the other black plastic. They do occasionally put these items on sale so keep checking back. Ed