Tail Lamp: Description and Operation

CIRCUIT OPERATION
Circuit A3 in the Power Distribution Center (PDC) connects to a bus bar in the fuse block. One of the four circuits powered by the bus bar is circuit F33. A 40 Amp fuse in the PDC protects the A3 circuit. A 15 Amp fuse, in cavity number 2 of the fuse block, protects the F33 circuit.

The headlamp switch has 3 positions, ON, PARK (tail lamps) and OFF, plus a dimmer switch. When the headlamp switch is in the PARK or ON position, it connects circuit F33 to circuit L7. From the headlamp switch, circuit L7 branches to power the front parking lamps, rear tail lamps, side marker lamps, and rear license plate lamp.

On vehicles equipped with Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) the L7 circuit is spliced in with the RKE module. The RKE module uses this circuit to flash the park/tail lamps when the operator has activated the PANIC function on the key fob.

Ground Circuit
Circuit Z1 provides ground for the tail lamps, parking lamps, headlamps, side marker lamps, lamps and rear license plate lamp although different grounding points are used. Circuit Z1 also provides the ground path for the headlamps, stop lamps and turn signals.