My right tailight is stuck on even when the key is out. The brake lights don't work. There is a green light on the steering column that is permanently stuck. The dome light is also permanently stuck unless I remove the fuse. I had it checked out today and the guy didn't fix it but managed to charge me. I'll be taking it back. But I'm wondering what the hell could be wrong? Where are the ground wires I'm too look out for? I am also getting sparks around the dome light if I touch that area.

What are you working on? A car, truck, tractor, motorcycle?? What model and year?

I would think the dome light problems is separate from the turn signal / brake light problem. Possibly a defective turnsignal switch causing the turn signal / brake light problem since brake light power goes through the turn signal switch if you have what I think you might have.



cfield@ll.net

As Craig noted, get us more info. (year & model) and I will see if we have a schematic.
We will have to clearly understand which lights are staying on. (green light on steering column? or do you mean green light on the instrument panel?)
Bottomline, you just have to test and correct each circuit.
I have seen "shorts" which burn off wire isolation and connects wires never ment to be connected.
DD

<FONT COLOR="ff0000">Is it really the tail light, or is it the brake light?</FONT>
:
: The brake lights don't work.

<FONT COLOR="ff0000">Check the fuse and brake switch. If you have a meter, check for power on one of the brake switch terminals. There may be a problem with the turn signal switch.</FONT>
:
: There
: is a green light on the steering column that
: is permanently stuck.

<FONT COLOR="ff0000">Is this light on the dash panel? Maybe the turn signal indicator light? The only light I can think of on a steering column is for the gear indicator on a column shift automatic.</FONT>
:
: The dome light is also
: permanently stuck unless I remove the fuse.

<FONT COLOR="ff0000">This is a likely a totally different problem. The dome light is turned on by the door switches or the headlight switch.

Have there been any electrical shorts or burned wiring? A history of how this first showed up would help.</FONT>
:
: I had it checked out today and the guy
: didn't fix it but managed to charge me. I'll
: be taking it back. But I'm wondering what
: the hell could be wrong? Where are the
: ground wires I'm to look out for?

<FONT COLOR="ff0000">Ground wires? There are only 2 wires that can be called "ground wires" They are from the negative side of the battery to the engine, and from the engine (passenger side) to the chassis of the car (around the heater motor).</FONT>
:
: I am also
: getting sparks around the dome light if I
: touch that area.

<FONT COLOR="ff0000">This is not clear enough. When it sparks, is the light flashing? Where is the spark? If the light doesn't flash, then the power line to the dome light is probably shorting to ground. Remove the light and look for loose or frayed wires. Pretend that you are describing this to a blind person and describe everything in detail.

Chuck</FONT>


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