I need to run a license plate light for inspection, I figured run it to the wire leading into my brake light on the left side...It isnt working, so does anyone have any suggestions as to what i should do to fix this?

 

Depending on your set-up, you may have connected to the turn sig or reverse light. Am I correct when I say the reverse light is in the same housing, and when the sig is on your'e flashing the same bulb as the brake? How many wires go to it? And where is the original license light?

 

The housing is a reverse light on top with one wire going to it, and another bulb that serves as everything else under it, with two wires going to it. The original is MIA and has been since I bought the truck, must've been hooked to the bumper and since no bumper no light.... I put the + wire of the light to the RED wire of the lower bulb, and no light, grounding the light to the frame.

 

Then it sounds like the housing is being used as a ground when bolted to the truck. Hence the single wire for the reverse light. Sounds like the wire you tapped into was the hi-side of the taillight. Remember, this is a dual filament lamp in the tail, and since the housing is used as the ground, the two wires are both +, one wire is for the running light filament, and the other for brake and turn. Clear as mud, I hope! Btw, cheap voltage meters help too.

 

I have a volt meter actually, would i want to see a constant when i have my parking lights on in the wires?

 

yes, reading from the constant hot wire of the taillight, to the chassis

 

Ok I'll get to attack that project tomorrow hah. Thanks for the info! I'm trying to get the Old boy backon the road and that is one of the biggest problems with it currently.