Tkhang

My dad just bought a 1999 Lexus ES 300 and the license plate lights don't turn on. I've replaced the bulbs and checked the fuse. Still nothing. I know that the TAIL fuse controls the tail and parking lights. They all work but nothing at the license plate light. I took a volt meter to it and its not getting any voltage. Is there anything else I could check?

Mattrob

What location did you use as ground when checking voltage? A common mistake is to us ethe bulb socket ground. It could be bad so check voltage by piercing wire before it reaches bulb socket and use a good frame groung, attaching bolt, etc.
Remember you need a good ground at the bulb socket for the bulb to illuminate.

If no voltage here: Sounds like broken or corroded wire. Suggest tracing the wire and piercing it halfway back to fuse to see if you have voltage there.

Tkhang

Yeah I used the socket's ground but the socket looks pretty clean. I don't see any corrosion but I'll check it out again and trace the wires.

Mattrob

Just be sure to check that ground wire at the back of the socket. If you have continuity to ground there then concentrate on 12 VDC. Low voltage or high ressitance on the ground would likely indicate corrosion in the wire.