Calling All Electrical Experts!!

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dsrtflcon7

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first i hope this can help anyone else if they encounter this problem. and i am not an expert with the electrical but know enough to get around.
i have searched up and down the web and have found questions but no answers......ok ..so my problem is tail lights. about a couple weeks ago my tail lights go out along with gauge lights. so i replace a bad bulb with a little bulb grease and the 10a tail fuse which was blown. no problem. it works for a couple days and again they all go out..
i have gone through many 10a fuses since then and have bought a new tail relay ( but wasnt the relay so i returned it, didnt hurt to try)
i know there is short somewhere but i just dont know where..
what i have done so far is take off all interior panels that cover the tail light wiring and also have checked under the outside fuse box for any bad wires and it all looked ok ..in the inside interior fuse box i notice there is two 20amp fuses in the place of the gauge(10a)
and the acc(15a).... i replace those. and still no cigar
also, when i do replace the tail fuse the lights work while the truck is on and not moving and right when i put it into drive they go out

what im thinking is while that 20a fuse was in the place of the gauge(10a) it created the short and damaged a wire (maybe behind the guage?)..can this be?
my question is what do i check and how?
what else can it be?
and is there any thing else i should do while the panels are off?
any advice helps..thanks!!!
 
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You will have to do the shake and bake test.

Insert 10 amp fuse . Turn key on. Turn lights on and put a stick on the brake pedal to activate the stop lights. If i am following your post, you say that the fuse doesn't blow until the engine is running.

Don't start the engine. Take your hand and shake the the wire harness under the dash board. If the fuse blows, the problem is in that general area. if it doesn't, then remove the door sill covers and the rear quarter panel cover. shake each part of the wire harness until you work you way to the rear taillights. Once the fuse blows, that would be the general area where the problem is. Most likely then wire insulation has worn through and is rubbing on the car body.
 
Does it blow when you press the brake pedal after a short time? Or just when it's put in drive? Sounds like you may just have a bad bulb( elements touching) Try unplugging the tail light one side at a time and see what happens.
 
Singtoe said:
You will have to do the shake and bake test.

Insert 10 amp fuse . Turn key on. Turn lights on and put a stick on the brake pedal to activate the stop lights. If i am following your post, you say that the fuse doesn't blow until the engine is running.

Don't start the engine. Take your hand and shake the the wire harness under the dash board. If the fuse blows, the problem is in that general area. if it doesn't, then remove the door sill covers and the rear quarter panel cover. shake each part of the wire harness until you work you way to the rear taillights. Once the fuse blows, that would be the general area where the problem is. Most likely then wire insulation has worn through and is rubbing on the car body.
Click to expand...


correct. well once the truck starts moving they go out.. but i will give this a shot..


and (attitudeofgratitud)
i havent really noticed how they react to the brake lights but you mean unplug each bulb while they are on?or how?
 
Last edited:
I was just wondering if it would blow when the taillights are on and then you press the brake pedal. Regardless if its moving or engine running.
By unplugging the entire taillight assembly one at a time. You can isolate which side is giving you a problem.
I'd bet money your problem is in one of your taillights assemblies. Whether it be a bulb, socket or wiring at the assembly.
Have you tried replacing the bulbs?
 
(attitudeofgratitud)
yeah replaced both of them


(stick figure)
genius machine.
i will right away.

thanks for all your guys help. will post the results once im done
 
at last! problem solved..
it was right under my nose..(literally)
it was a bad e-brake wire..
took it to a friend and told me to put into drive and right when i let the e-brake down lights go out.
opened it up and there it was.

<a href="http://s53.photobucket.com/albums/g71/nal_photo/?action=view&current=0509011855.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g71/nal_photo/0509011855.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

a connector and some electrical tape. like new.

thanks again for your guys help..advice was very helpful
so if anyone else encounters a short your going to need a muiltmeter.
and the shake and bake test helps to. thanks to singtoe
 
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