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Old 12-06-2019, 11:39 PM   #1
grumpyrockow
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Default Running/ taillights won't turn on 1999 GF4

USDM impreza outback sport, with legacy front bumper.
On my combination switch one click would turn on the running lights and my taillights, now it doesnt do anything, could it be a relay? Not sure where to start.
Thank you.
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Last edited by grumpyrockow; 12-06-2019 at 11:51 PM.
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Old 12-07-2019, 03:05 AM   #2
CosmoTheCat
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98 My FMIC
Is bigger than yours.

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For electrical issues, starting with a wiring diagram is helpful.

IF the schematic didn't change much between my 96 and your 99, the easy test to see if the relay is a likely problem, is to hit the switch on top of the steering column. It bypasses the relay.

If that doesn't work, check fuse 23 under hood.
If it does work, check fuse 5 in the dash.

It could be a relay, it could be the switch itself, it could be the ground or any of the wiring between.
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Old 12-07-2019, 02:19 PM   #3
grumpyrockow
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Originally Posted by CosmoTheCat View Post
For electrical issues, starting with a wiring diagram is helpful.

IF the schematic didn't change much between my 96 and your 99, the easy test to see if the relay is a likely problem, is to hit the switch on top of the steering column. It bypasses the relay.

If that doesn't work, check fuse 23 under hood.
If it does work, check fuse 5 in the dash.

It could be a relay, it could be the switch itself, it could be the ground or any of the wiring between.
Id hit the switch on top of the column but after a little while it (the switch) would get hot.
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Old 12-08-2019, 06:39 PM   #4
Cougar4
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2001 LL Bean Outback
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If the lights didn't come on when you turned on the bypass switch and the switch got hot then you have a short circuit and it isn't blowing the fuse out for some reason. Hopefully the wiring isn't damaged. If the lights worked but were dim then there may be a problem within the switch. Power passes through that switch whether it OFF or ON. The switch bypasses the taillight relay circuit in the ON position.

Have you checked out the fuses that were mentioned previously? If not, then do that. You are going to most likely need a test meter to work on this problem. Hopefully you have one and know how to use it.
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Old 12-08-2019, 08:59 PM   #5
grumpyrockow
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Originally Posted by Cougar4 View Post
If the lights didn't come on when you turned on the bypass switch and the switch got hot then you have a short circuit and it isn't blowing the fuse out for some reason. Hopefully the wiring isn't damaged. If the lights worked but were dim then there may be a problem within the switch. Power passes through that switch whether it OFF or ON. The switch bypasses the taillight relay circuit in the ON position.

Have you checked out the fuses that were mentioned previously? If not, then do that. You are going to most likely need a test meter to work on this problem. Hopefully you have one and know how to use it.
I checked the fuses, and a few others that may have had something to do with it, I dint have a test meter but I know how to use one and can pick one up
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Old 12-08-2019, 09:01 PM   #6
grumpyrockow
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Quote:
Originally Posted by grumpyrockow View Post
I checked the fuses, and a few others that may have had something to do with it, I dint have a test meter but I know how to use one and can pick one up
The lights woould turn on with the bypass switch but the switch would have to sit in a position somewhere between on and off
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Old 12-10-2019, 11:50 AM   #7
Cougar4
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I suggest you first replace that switch since power passes through it either position. Hopefully the replacement will fix the problem. If that doesn't totally fix the issue we can check the relay portion of the circuit.
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Old 12-19-2019, 11:52 PM   #8
grumpyrockow
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Originally Posted by Cougar4 View Post
I suggest you first replace that switch since power passes through it either position. Hopefully the replacement will fix the problem. If that doesn't totally fix the issue we can check the relay portion of the circuit.
Replaced switch, nothing changed
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Old 12-20-2019, 01:26 PM   #9
Cougar4
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Well sorry to hear that changing the switch didn't change anything. It is time to get the meter out or a test probe at least to make some voltage tests. Make sure that the white wire going to the switch has 12 volts on it. Check fuse 7 in the panel under the hood if you have no power there. If you have voltage on the white wire then make sure the switch is in the OFF position. Turn the light switch to the first position (ignition ON) and check for voltage on fuse 12 in the dash fuse panel. If you have no power there then we need to check to see why the taillight relay is not turning on. The light switch makes a ground connection to control the relay on a blk/wht wire. The taillight relay is inside the dash fuse panel.
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