I have a 2000 Dodge Durango I bought about 4 hours ago. The tail lights do not work but the brake light and turn signals do. Also the dash lights do not work. The dash lights came on when I hit the brake but as soon as I let off the brakes the dash lights went out, now the dash lights don't work at all.

hello same pronlem with my 98 durango but right turn signal!

what it was is the 4 pin connector for the tow package had the insulationripped off them i guess whe backing out of a steep driveway it sxrapped! so the headlights, turn signals, and brake circuits where grounding out! quick fix!

just cut and capped that mess!

good luck

Check to see if the brake light switch under the dash at the brake pedal is bad before you go too much further.

turn on hazzard flashers,locate relay under dash by following sound,was this flasher that was replaced they are very simular.if not replace turn signal flasher again,might have got bummed one.onlt other optin is turn signal switch,chech connector at bottom of steering colum.any other functions on colum failing is good indicator of switch,switch is rare failure

Check the fuse box and test the brake switch on the brake pedal.

Sounds like the brake light switch has a problem. Located above brake pedal and activated with the brake pedal arm. Check for power going in and coming out when you apply the brake.

hey i had the same problem with my siverado and it turned out to be a ground problem so if i was you check that fist then if that dont fix it then see if the swich at the peddle is sending power out to the lights

OK there is a short in your car
take all the light bulbs out of the light that trigger the problem this break the current place one bulb in at a time checking that the fuse has not blown this will pin point where the problem is
once you find the problem you can replace the socket as it may have started to corrode check for water
once you replace the socket you should not have a problem
if you do let me know
dj_ricko_1988 at hot mail dot com

well yes i would check all the fuses first

You definitely have an electrical short! When the left signal is turned on the electrical shouldn't be attached to any other circuit (unless a short exists) by feeding those other lights.

When you press on the brake the lights go out since the short is not being grounded and I'm surprised you haven't blown a fuse when this happens since the electricity that should have run through the light(s), it now going straight back to the battery and ground shorting.

Electrical shorts are the most elaborate and the mechanic could take 3-4 hours to isolate (less with specific description of event provided by you).

I have the official Durango shop manual mechanics use, and the electrical paths are specific, but complex. Don't think this is something you should attempt. BUT if you want to look somewhere.......start with.....(checking book)...nope too many possibilities, and hands on testing needs to be done to isolate problem.