Tag light issues

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Sookie
Posts: 5
Joined: Mon Mar 04, 2019 11:10 pm

Hello,
I have a 2012 Kizashi with around 94,000 miles. I noticed that both of my tag lights were out so I replaced them with new LED bulbs. However, now neither of them will work. There is no corrosion in the housing and everything seems to be plugged in snuggly. I am not sure what the issue is. Has this happened to anyone else? If you have any info or suggestions I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks!
BLyons
Posts: 226
Joined: Sun May 24, 2015 12:22 am

Did you try flipping the bulbs around?
Black 2011 Sport SLS AWD
Sookie
Posts: 5
Joined: Mon Mar 04, 2019 11:10 pm

BLyons, I did try that.
WESHOOT2
Posts: 1976
Joined: Tue Jan 11, 2011 5:37 pm
Location: Vermont

First check the fuse.
Then try a pair of stock bulbs.
Then......
Sookie
Posts: 5
Joined: Mon Mar 04, 2019 11:10 pm

Weshoot2, sorry I forgot to type that I did check the fuse. Fuse wasn’t blown and looked like new. I have not tried the stock bulbs, thanks for the advice
WESHOOT2
Posts: 1976
Joined: Tue Jan 11, 2011 5:37 pm
Location: Vermont

Swap or replace the fuse; they can look good, pass a meter test, but fail under current load.
Stupid fuses.....
Sookie
Posts: 5
Joined: Mon Mar 04, 2019 11:10 pm

Thanks! I will try that
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SAEED_KIZZY
Posts: 507
Joined: Wed Sep 13, 2017 2:31 pm

Sookie wrote:Hello,
I have a 2012 Kizashi with around 94,000 miles. I noticed that both of my tag lights were out so I replaced them with new LED bulbs. However, now neither of them will work. There is no corrosion in the housing and everything seems to be plugged in snuggly. I am not sure what the issue is. Has this happened to anyone else? If you have any info or suggestions I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks!
Power for rear tail light and license plate are the same, came from Fuse 53(TAIL) on J/B so if you have no problem with tail light fuse has no problem. my guess is lossy connection on tag light try to use multi meter or voltage tester and check both power(RED/GRN) wire and also GND(BLK) wire.
also LED bulb usually has polarity, check it.
this is wiring diagram
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Sookie
Posts: 5
Joined: Mon Mar 04, 2019 11:10 pm

Awesome! Thank you. Thank you for the diagram.
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KuroNekko
Posts: 5170
Joined: Wed Aug 15, 2012 5:08 pm
Location: California, USA

I suspect it's the LED bulbs. Are they name brand quality ones or generic cheapo stuff from China? LEDs are certainly not all created equally and there is a huge difference in the quality, reliability, and longevity of LEDs. As someone with extensive conversion of LEDs in their car, I can speak from personal experience that the cheap crap from China I paid little for fail quickly while the expensive bulbs from Japan and the US have held up perfectly for several years. I also have LED brake light bulbs and recently upgraded my reverse lights to LEDs. Both sets are Sylvania ZEVOS that come with a lifetime warranty. They aren't cheap but you get what you pay for.

As for identifying the cause of the issue, the others have already offered the best test: put the stock incandescent bulbs back in to test. If they work, you know it's the LED bulbs at fault. I advise getting quality LEDs from Philips or Sylvania specifically made for license plate illumination. I've seen them sold at AutoZone. Many Festoon LED bulbs are actually made for cabin interior lighting and are too bright for license plate usage, providing way more light than needed. It just makes the back end look odd at night with that much white light on the ground. I made that mistake with my LED bulbs for my license plate but these JDM bulbs have been working reliably for several years.
2011 Suzuki Kizashi Sport GTS 6MT (Black)
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