Hey everyone, I just joined, and I'm thrilled to have found this site! I'm 17 years old, and I just bought my first 3rd gen F-body, a 1991 Firebird Formula, with the 305 TBI engine.
I've been having problems with the taillights, though:
First of all, I think I should show you what they look like: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/FIREB...QQcmdZViewItem

Last week, I noticed that my taillights had 2 bulbs burnt out, both on the right side. I also saw that my center stop light (in the hatch) had also burnt out. I figured I would replace all of them while I was at it. So, I replaced them all, and the regular taillights were fine, but thwe hatch light still wasn't working. Then, last night, I noticed that the 2 right-most bulbs in the right taillight had burnt out again. I replaced them, and now, not only do they still not light up (neither with the parking lights on, or when I press the brake), but I now only have one working brake light (the inner one on the left taillight). And my center stop light in the hatch is still not working. I've checked the fuses and bulbs, and they all look fine. Does anyone know what I can do, before I get a ticket, or someone slams into my rear because my lights aren't working?

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

 

First make sure that you have the right bulbs in the socket and check the grounds. I would also check the condition on the contacts inside the sockets. Some times they will get worn and not make good contact with the bulb. The number for the rear tail/stop lamp is #2057. The rear turn signal lamp is #1156. The center stop lamp is #577 and the cargo compartment lamp is #168.

 

I doubt I can help with the taillights, but... That 3rd brake light, if it's the same as mine and I'm pretty sure it is, mounted high on the glass hatch... That thing is a worthless piece of junk. Mine wasn't working, and upon removing it, I found the entire inside was literally shattered into about 10 pieces. So I pulled one off a junked Firebird. Great... Now it's not working again. Those things are known problems. Most likely, unless the connector on the inside is melted(like mine was, along with being broken) the contacts prolly need cleaning and checked to see if they make good contact with the bulb.

Also, I'd think if your other lights are burning out this fast, you might have some kind of short somewhere. The only other thing I could think of is they are getting too much power, which wouldn't make sense since some of the other bulbs are fine. Check all the wiring you can from the bulbs back as far as you can for frays, pinches, etc. At least for a start

 

Thanks for the suggestion, guys. I definitly have the right bulbs in the right sockets, I checked that again yesterday. What exactly are the grounds, and how would I check them/it?

 

Can anyone give me advice on how to check the grounds and sockets? The more detailed, the better, because I don't know anything about electronics. I don't know how much it would cost to have a mechanic look at it, and i don't have any money for this right now. I also don't have any money for a ticket if a cop sees my lights this way, though.
Any help would be greatly appreciated!