Tail lights out!!

Just got a 85 300D Turbodiesel. While the brake, reverse and parking lamps work in the rear, the tail lights (when you're just drivin along) do not. Any suggestions? I checked the fuses. Although tired, not broken; and, it seems that the fuses are left/right as well, which means that one fuse would not control both left and right tail lights. What's going on wise ones?

Hi Rblookc.

Inside the socket there is a metal tab that
makes contact with the bottom of the bulb,
this metal tab get bent inward over time and
the bulb is to loose.

Bent the tab back out,this way the bulb will
be more secure.
This happend to my wagon and bending them
back fixed it for me.

Louis.

Just a hunch, but I would check to make sure that the correct bulbs are in the sockets. There are bulbs that will fit in the sockets that illuminate your rear running/brake lights that are not the correct dual-filament bulbs. This might result in them lighting only on one of the filaments, such as the brake lights like you mentioned.

Just checked that out. Flaps are good. But there is only a single filament bulb in the brake light stall. Those are supposed to be dual filament? I identified the reverse and blink lights. What's the dark mini bulb for (third one in from the outside edge). Can you tell I just bought the car? Thanks.

I popped the inside and looked at 'em. definately not working. Third ones in are apparently the tail lights. I'll check bulbs and fuses again. Thanks for the tip on filament.

Don't know if it is similar on yours, but mine failed because of a tiny crack in the board that holds the bulbs. Jumped around it with a wire jammed in there. Wouldn't have found it without a multi-meter.