Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General Troubleshooting License plate lights out

The other day I noticed that my license plate lights were both out. So tonight I stopped by AutoZone and picked up a pack of replacement bulbs. But when I stuck them in the holders and turned on the lights at the headlight switch, the plate lights refused to come on. I had the headlight switch and affected wiring replaced under recall a year and a half ago and have had no further electrical problems. Any suggestions?

Lights share same f31 fuse as dash dimmer, so if dash lights are on it's not the fuse.

I would check connectors at back of lights to see if voltage present. This area prone to corrosion due to water leaks. There is also a connector over towards hinge. Possibility of wiring damage in trunk always exists depending on usage.

I had a bunch of corrosion on one of mine, greenish stuff like you get at battery terminals...so much that one of the wires was disconnected. I scraped that stuff off and also scrubbed it with baking soda solution.

There are connectors leading to those lights that you have access to from inside the trunk (I think that is what horsey was refering to) I checked power there just to be sure it was okay to that point. Then I also checked it at the ends of wires that attach to the bulb holder.

When I put new bulb in still did not work at first...I rotated it while it was in place and then it came on...i guess that rotation finally got the contacts clean enough to make it go on.

Are your back-up lights out by any chance?

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