1998 OLDSMOBILE AURORA
276,000 MILES
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RZRBCKRICK
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Since I am currently unemployed I find it difficult to pay the potential it might cost for a repair shop to get my tail lights (and dash lights which I understand are also not working as a warning that the car's tail lights are out). As a quick, inexpensive fix, would it be possible to simply wire tail lights direct to the battery to an on/off switch added to my dash? If possible how would that look on a simple wiring diagram? Would resistors, reducers, etc. also be necessary to accomplish this?

Thanks for any help...I certainly appreciate all the help I can get...
Jan 1, 2012 at 11:04 PM
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SATURNTECH9
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So the dash and running/parking lights are out?If so have you checked the parking light fuse yet?Also do you have a multimeter?
Jan 1, 2012 at 11:09 PM
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RASMATAZ
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Find the wire that powers the tail light and wire it from the battery thru a toggle switch
Jan 1, 2012 at 11:12 PM
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SATURNTECH9
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I would check the fuse and try to fix it correctly before mickey mousing anything.
Jan 1, 2012 at 11:49 PM
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RASMATAZ
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Hey-it works for me on a 911 situation-but just try the fuse who knows could be a blown fuse as stated or your headlamp switch is kaput that needs replacing.

Then again using the toggle -can create a backfeed to other circuits that's tied into the running lights -cancel out on my suggestion-
Jan 1, 2012 at 11:58 PM
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RZRBCKRICK
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saturntech9 and rasmataz...thanks for the quick responses. Not sure where I will turn but as indicated earlier...even though this ol' car has been good to me (27,000 miles when I bought it May-2001), I have be careful what I can or can't spend. All I have heard from the Mechanics around here is remarks like, "it could be $50, or it could be $500. It's hard to say until we get into it."

Again, Thanks gentlemen for your advice...I appreciate it
Jan 2, 2012 at 12:53 AM
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SATURNTECH9
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Its really hard to say without getting into it but have you checked your parking fuse yet?Also do you have a multimeter to do some testing?
Jan 2, 2012 at 12:59 AM