2003 Honda Accord Coupe, 3.2L, 150K

Dear Forum. A fender-bender accident has obliterated my left-rear tail light assembly. The fixture is gone, so I have no reference. I have a replacement fixture that fits just fine. My problem is what’s coming out of the car.

The lamp harnesses (coming out of the car) are intact except the top one…the left turn/hazard harness. I seem to have an extra wire (compared to the right side.) The wire is green, and based on the right side comparison it seems “extra.” The wiring diagrams I’ve found online don’t seem to help.
I initially connected brown and black, but no matter what combination I try the result is always the same. When I engage the right turn signal, both lamps (left and right) blink normally. When I engage the left turn signal, no lamps illuminate and the dash panel indicator blinks double-time. The hazards work just fine.

I replaced the relay, and have tried everything I can think of, including verifying that the black ground wire is going to ground.

I have included a couple of photos. Any input would be greatly appreciated. I can’t think of anything else to do except take it to a mechanic.

-Andrew

 

With an accident, you have visible damage to a connector and possible damage that you can't see.

I'd do some basic electrical testing on each of the 3 damaged wires to understand how they operate. A test light connected to ground is better for testing in this case to verify proper voltage and current. A damaged wire can read 12V on a volt meter, but may not deliver enough current to light up the bulb. The volt meter would miss this and lead you down a wrong diagnostic path.

For each wire, hook the test light (or volt meter for a first pass) to ground on one end and to the wire on the other end. Turn on the turn signals, hazards, parking lights, etc and let us know the readings on each wire.

 

The green and black wires are for the back-up light connector.





The brown wire goes to an accessory connector that can plug into a trailer lighting harness for brake and running light. (See the video at the 3:11 mark)

youtube.com/watch?v=21q8ynaEjVs

 

PAhonda,

Thank you for your reply.

with left turn signal on -
no reading with the test light on any wires.
no reading on the multi meter on any wires.

with right turn signal on -
brown wire illuminates test light (blinks) and meter reads about 10volts (on and off with the blinking.)
green and black wires give no reading on test light or meter.

Hope this helps, and thanks again for you help.

-Andrew

 

1. Green wire should have power in reverse.

2.. Brown wire should power when brake pedal depressed.

3. Red/Blu wire on the turn signal bulb connector should have power when the left turn signal is activated.

 

PAhonda and redbull-1,

Thank you both for your time and guidance. The replacement tail light assembly was apparently from an '04 and not an '03 and the harnesses were different, hence my confusion. I did a little "creative soldering" on the twist-in sockets, and direct-wired omitting the pig-tail harness.

Both of your posts helped me solve the problem, and we are up-and-running...I could not have done it without your assistance. My daughter is eternally grateful, and I thank you both for your help!

-Andrew