ODD problem- left taillight out only at night

[BlkgenesisCa]

Sorry to ask a question in my first post but I figured this would be the place --Issue just started-- driver side taillight works during the day but not after dark. Brake/turn lights work always. Checked connections multiple times, verified good operation during the day. I even gave the housing a good slap day and night. Funny part is if I cycle all the way to off and then back on it gives a quick flash and then goes off but only on the drivers side not both. Light has been tested off the car and works fine. Any help or thoguths would be great

 

[5.0KDM]

You could probably jump a cable from the left taillight to the right one to get it up and running until you find the problem

 

[Gunkk]

Check the FAM (front area module) relays for failure of the LH tail lamp relay. LH and RH tail lamps have different outputs from the FAM relay, so they can fail/work independently. The FAM is located in the engine compartment on the pass side just forward of the firewall.

EDIT: the LED may also have failed. Jumping from the known good side as 5.0KDM suggests can verify whether the LED in the tail light assembly is working.


From the 2012 shop manual:

". FAM : SCG (SHORT CIRCUIT TO GND) Fault Condition If The FAM detects Short circuit to Ground, then FAM turns off the OUTPUT. The fault detection is carried out continuously, until fault is confirmed by FAM. Once FAM confirms SCG, FAM keeps the fault condition until flasher trigger condition is changed. "

 

[BlkgenesisCa]

Weird part is only driver side only at night daytime no problem. I doubt there is a night time and daytime relay just for the taillight. Everything else works except for the running light on 1 side rear only. I'll check out the relays just to make sure. Thanks for the idea

 

[BlkgenesisCa]

Relay is good, light/leds tested good

 

[Gunkk]

Then I believe an automotive electrician is in your future.

 

[BlkgenesisCa]

Gunkk,. The tail light relay is located in the fam unit?. Any way to replace or do I need to replace the FAM as a whole piece. I tested relays in the fuse block and all are good. There wasn't 1 designated for taillights