[jonnycaddy]

Hello guys, I recently bought a 2000 SLS in pretty good condition. Heres the problem, both tags light do not turn on when the headlight are on. Also the reverse lights dont turn on and the hazard lights do not turn on when i press the button inside the car. However, when i hit the unlock button on my remote pad the tag lights blink along with the brake and turn signals for about 2 seconds. Fuses are good. Once again turn signals, brakelights and tail lights work fine. Thank you

 

[basscatt]

Re: 2000 Cadillac Seville SLS Reverse,tag,hazard light malfunction.

Hello guys, I recently bought a 2000 Cadillac Seville SLS in pretty good condition. Heres the problem, both tags light do not turn on when the headlight are on. Also the reverse lights dont turn on and the hazard lights do not turn on when i press the button inside the car. However, when i hit the unlock button on my remote pad the tag lights blink along with the brake and turn signals for about 2 seconds. Fuses are good. Once again turn signals, brakelights and tail lights work fine. Thank you

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check for Diagnostic Trouble Codes -
if you don't know how - go here and read the ENTIRE post -

http://www.cadillacforums.com/forums/cadillac-deville-1985-2005-including-1985/138257-how-pull-codes-dtcs.html

if you have any codes - post them here -
ALONG WITH THEIR DEFINITIONS -

 

[Submariner409]

Welcome to Cadillac Forums. Your Seville Seville Luxury Sedan is a good, faithful car when carefully maintained.

Two things to check: The entire center light assembly on the trunk lid comes off after moving the carpet liner (pull the plastic retainers) and the 10 or 11 10mm nut/washers on the retainer studs. Replace all the bulbs. 3 different types, 8 bulbs.

The wiring harness for that light array is under the plastic cover on the left hinge bracket. The wires tend to bend and chafe where they leave the hinge area.

Also, check the harness ground at the body metal under the carpet at the LR wheelwell area.

Click on a thumbnail to enlarge, use your browser <-- to back out

 

[RomoRock3r]

Why does the left tail lamp have a Resistor?

 

[basscatt]

Welcome to Cadillac Forums. Your Seville Seville Luxury Sedan is a good, faithful car when carefully maintained.

Two things to check: The entire center light assembly on the trunk lid comes off after moving the carpet liner (pull the plastic retainers) and the 10 or 11 10mm nut/washers on the retainer studs. Replace all the bulbs. 3 different types, 8 bulbs.

The wiring harness for that light array is under the plastic cover on the left hinge bracket. The wires tend to bend and chafe where they leave the hinge area.

Also, check the harness ground at the body metal under the carpet at the LR wheelwell area.

Click on a thumbnail to enlarge, use your browser <-- to back out

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all good points - BUT -

this from the OP's post -
However, when i hit the unlock button on my remote pad
the tag lights blink
along with the brake
and turn signals for about 2 seconds.

this means the bulbs are all good -
the sockets are good -
the grounds are good -
the harness is intact -

 

[jonnycaddy]

There aren't any check engine lights on. I checked the wires, harness and fuses. Everything looks fine including the bulbs. Like I said before the tag lights flash when I hit the unlock button on the keypad but when I turn the headlights to turn them on they don't light up. The reverse lights never light up and the hazard lights never cut on. Its one main wire harness that leads to the rear light panel. The brake lights and turn signals and tail lights work fine. Its the hazard, reverse and taglights that are acting strange. If no one here can help me is it better to go to a Cadillac dealer or any shop to diagnose this. I definitely don't want to spend an arm an a leg just for an electrical diagnosis

 

[Submariner409]

There aren't any check engine lights on.

The lack of a SES light, in this case, has nothing to do with pulling diagnostic codes from the car's built-in code scanner/memory. Most of the electrical systems are monitored for function and power delivery - so you were asked to supply any codes found in the memory, along with their status (Current or History) and definitions.

The center light/license plate assembly on the trunk has a multi-wire harness that exits at the trunk hinge bracket, driver's side. That area is known to chafe and break wires. If one or more are chafed/broken it's possible that there is/are one or more short circuits. You can't just throw parts at these cars - you have to systematically troubleshoot the problems.

We're all trying to help - but if you think about it, from our view it's like trying to find a golf ball in a pitch black stadium. Especially since your particular set of problems is new to everyone.

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Why does the left tail lamp have a Resistor?

Because you're looking at the schematic for the left side only - the right side is a mirror image.

The voltage dropping resistors equal out the light intensity of 2 different adjacent bulbs. EXPORT models use different bulbs and lenses for rear fog lamp and parking lamp indicators (one reason).

FWIW, those resistors have a habit of burning up. If and when you replace the center assembly bulbs (all at the same time) you should check the harness for burned resistors and replace them with proper value 10W or larger metal film power resistors. Cheap at Radio Shack (if they're still in business near you. Otherwise, www.parts-express.com)

See the bulbs in post #3 ? Those were 7 years old when I changed them. If you've never been into that center - and the outer - taillight assemblies a bulb change is way overdue.