Tail lights are quite essential for an overall safe driving experience. These are especially detrimental to safety while driving at night. In some instances, you may find that the jeep wrangler tail lights not working properly even though the brake lights are lighted up. The brake lights get lighted up when you press the brakes and are quite dim in comparison to the tail lights.
Driving or maneuvering your Jeep Wrangler without the well-lit tail lights can be very dangerous for your safety as the approaching drivers might not spot you. This could cause accidental collisions. It is best to ascertain the cause of your improper tail lights and get them repaired as soon as possible to avoid any risk.
Consider the possible reasons behind the failure of your tail lights
The improper or inefficient functioning of your tail lights can be traced to numerous factors. A burnt light bulb is the commonest reason behind failed tail lights. Other possible reasons include damaged wiring, blown-out fuse, and various electrical faults.
Check whether the bulbs are burnt
A burnt bulb is amongst the commonest causes of tail light failure. The light bulbs employed in your tail lights are quite similar to the ones used in your household lamps. Just like your household lamps get burned in response to minor technical errors, it is possible for your tail light light bulbs to suffer the same fate.
Note that different bulbs are used for your brake lights and your tail lights. It is possible for your brake lights to be intact while your tail light bulbs are burnt. This explains why your brake lights keep working oftentimes when your tail lights are off. So if such a failure of light happens, you first need to check whether your tail light bulbs are intact.
Assess dislocated or damaged wiring
Any damage or disruption in the wiring of your tail lights can result in their failure. The tail lights and the brake lights are supplied by different sets of wires. So it is possible for either of them to be damaged. Both these bulbs have a separate power supply based on their specific functions so different sets of wiring are employed.
In case you Jeep has recently suffered an accident, there is a heightened chance of flaws appearing in one of these lights. So when your tail lights don’t light up whatsoever, your brake lights may still be completely fine. This problem generally appears when your power cables are fixed loose.
Assess whether there is a blown-out fuse
A blown-out fuse could also be the reason behind your failed tail lights. Because both these lights have different connections, it is possible for the tail lights to suffer a blow when the brake lights are working completely fine. Each electronic component of your car has a specific connection. So when a particular component’s fuse blows out, only that component’s light will stop working.
The breaking of a fuse breaks down the whole circuit. To ascertain this cause, you have to properly check the fuse of the tail lights.
There could be other electrical problems
The failure of your tail lights can also be traced down to an electrical problem. However, this problem can only be assessed and corrected by a proper mechanic. Electrical problems commonly originate when there is a blown-out fuse along with damaged wiring.
Know how to check each component for the problem
You should know how to primarily assess the problem so you can find an immediate solution.
Carefully check for burnt bulbs
It is very easy to check whether your bulbs are burnt. You have to remove the trunk or the lenses to reach the lamp. Then you can unscrew the bulb and examine it for blackness. There must also be a signal indicator on your car dashboard that shows whether your bulb is fine. This signal indicator will firsthand reveal whether your bulb is fine. You could also spot the intactness of your lamp’s filament. A working bulb will have an intact thread. If your bulb is actually burnt, get a new one from your nearest automotive store and replace it.
Check dislocated wiring
You must know how to aptly check the condition of your tail light wiring. After opening the trunk to access the wires, you must spot whether the cables are loose. If they are, you only need to reattach these loose cables.
But if your wires are damaged or severed, you’ll have to take your Jeep to a mechanic for repairs.
Check a blown-out fuse
If your fuse is blown-out, your tail lights could suddenly stop working. You first need to correctly locate the fuse box. But you need to switch off the ignition of the Jeep to inspect it. This would save you from a possible electrocution. Use a flashlight to correctly locate the fuse box and then remove it for proper inspection.
If the metal portion inside the fuse is intact, your fuse is completely fine. But a broken fuse needs immediate replacement. Check the new fuse for the right voltage and get it installed.
Ascertain the electrical faults
The possible electrical problems in your vehicle need to be analyzed. These are usually caused by flawed wiring or blown-out fuses. However, these problems are better analyzed by professional mechanics.
Check the intactness of the wiring
When your tail lights fail but your brake lights continue to operate, you must check whether the wiring is intact. It is possible that some rodents might have nibbled at your wires. You ought to make sure that all the essential connections are intact. A look at your car’s wiring diagram will help you in understanding the working of your Jeep’s lighting system. This could help you identify the problematic wire and correct the problem.
The wiring of your tail lights could also suffer the impact of corrosion. Rain and snow could enter your fuse box and wiring and create rust. Therefore, you must check your wiring regularly to ascertain any possible problem. You could make the necessary changes on time.
Assess the signal switch
The switch of the tail lights is powered through one circuit. This circuit also includes a turn signal light. Although every car is not equipped with this feature, the presence of this switch can be confirmed with the help of a wiring diagram. You can then note whether the wires are passing through the turn of the switch signal.
Then you need to identify the wire that connects the signal switch to the tail lights. Once you have rightly identified the wire at fault, you can replace that cable and solve this problem. This issue with your tail lights should be resolved after this correction.
Check the electrical ground
In case your tail light is not operational while your brake light is working, you need to check for a possible bad electrical ground. Some car models will be equipped with a sufficient switch provided ground. A loose connection or corrosive damage to one of the wire ends could result in the failure of your tail lights. Test the light switch by connecting it to the good ground with the help of a jumper. If your brake light turns on upon pressing this light, there is probably some problem with your ground connection that needs to be fixed.
Conclusion – jeep wrangler tail lights not working
Note that your tail lights have a connection entirely separate from your headlights and brake lights. So don’t be surprised if your headlights and brake lights still work properly when your tail lights don’t. There could be numerous reasons behind the improper working of your tail lights. These include burnt bulbs, damaged wiring, blown-out fuse, and electrical problems. There could be numerous other deeper aspects that only a professional mechanic can assess.
If you aren;t able to ascertain the cause on your own, it will be best to take your Jeep to a good mechanic. Tail lights are more essential than you imagine. They are the key to your safety on the road when it’s dark. Other drivers cannot see you in the absence of tail lights so you will always remain at a risk of being hit.
It is essential that you properly inspect your car for any faulty component. A regular check-up would ensure that you are never surprised with a mishap. While you can thoroughly assess the cause of this problem on your own, it is important that you take the help of a mechanic whenever you are unable to figure something out.
Always take the minor issues with your vehicle seriously. Because minor problems later on become big problems. A failed tail light bulb may be a little fault, but it could have dire consequences if you happen to be out on the road late at night. Similarly, it could also be an indication of a deeper issue that needs to be assessed by a proper mechanic.
