# Why is mechanic replacing wiring to rear lights

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/why-is-mechanic-replacing-wiring-to-rear-lights/9577>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Tags:** mechanics, fuses, lights, brakes\
**Created:** [January 18, 2008, 8:21pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/why-is-mechanic-replacing-wiring-to-rear-lights/9577 "2008-01-18T20:21:06Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 6\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![rrrich7](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ccd318/32.png) [@rrrich7](https://community.cartalk.com/u/rrrich7)\
**Post date:** [January 18, 2008, 8:21pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/why-is-mechanic-replacing-wiring-to-rear-lights/9577/1 "2008-01-18T20:21:06Z")

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it started off with a state inspection and a burnt-out rear brake light on a 1997 saturn. then the mechanic said there was a burnt out fuse. now they want to replace the wiring to the rear light(s). am i being ripped off?

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**Author:** ![NYBo](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/nybo/32/17281_2.png) [@NYBo](https://community.cartalk.com/u/NYBo)\
**Post date:** [January 18, 2008, 8:32pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/why-is-mechanic-replacing-wiring-to-rear-lights/9577/2 "2008-01-18T20:32:52Z")

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Ah, much more info this time.

Sometimes, the quickest (and therefore cheapest) way to fix and electrical problem like this is to simply bypass the suspect section of wiring rather than hunting down an open or short circuit and repairing it. The problem could be anywhere from the front of the car to the back, and most of the wiring harness is buried under various trim pieces. Finding it can take a lot of time, for which you will pay by the hour.

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**Author:** ![NYBo](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/nybo/32/17281_2.png) [@NYBo](https://community.cartalk.com/u/NYBo)\
**Post date:** [January 18, 2008, 8:41pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/why-is-mechanic-replacing-wiring-to-rear-lights/9577/3 "2008-01-18T20:41:59Z")

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I see you’ve posted this about 5 times. Here’s tip for future reference: If no one else replies to your post, reply to it yourself. That will bump it to the front, so to speak. Don’t keep reposting.

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**Author:** ![NYBo](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/nybo/32/17281_2.png) [@NYBo](https://community.cartalk.com/u/NYBo)\
**Post date:** [January 18, 2008, 8:45pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/why-is-mechanic-replacing-wiring-to-rear-lights/9577/4 "2008-01-18T20:45:18Z")

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(bump)

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**Author:** ![ok4450](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/e9bcb4/32.png) [@ok4450](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ok4450)\
**Post date:** [January 18, 2008, 9:49pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/why-is-mechanic-replacing-wiring-to-rear-lights/9577/5 "2008-01-18T21:49:27Z")

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Have you checked the brake lights yourself? Is it one out or all of them?  
If there is a fuse blown and the wiring has a short then none of the brake lights should work.

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**Author:** ![rrrich7](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ccd318/32.png) [@rrrich7](https://community.cartalk.com/u/rrrich7)\
**Post date:** [January 18, 2008, 10:25pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/why-is-mechanic-replacing-wiring-to-rear-lights/9577/6 "2008-01-18T22:25:46Z")

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thanks Bo appreciate the pointer.