Electrical problem...FML :fp

[fourLUG_hero]

Blew up my daily's motor today so the S13 needs to go back to daily duties. I turn the car on and it's fine and dandy till I need to turn the lights on to drive at night. My dash has no lights other than my Pioneer radio which is lit up.

Cool, so I go back in the house to let the car warm up for a bit and I realize that even though my headlights are on, my corners aren't on and my tail lights aren't on either. Not good.

I turn the car off and check the fuses and my tail light one is blown. I replace it with another 15A and flick the light stalk and pop, there goes the 15A. Does that one tail lamp fuse control dash lights and corners too? Because my brake lights and turn signals work properly. I have a feeling it's grounding out somewhere but I just don't know where to look. I have all day tomorrow to check it out and find where it's grounding at before I need to go to work at night.

Any suggestions on where to start?

[zerepdivad]

Yeah that same one controls your illumination for your stereo, cluster, and parking lights. DIsconnect your illumination wire and tape it off on your stereo. Very common problem with chopped up stereo wiring.

[OutToWinPAHC]

There are two 15 amp fuses for the lighting circuit. Right column of fuse bix 4th down 15 amp and 8th down 15A.

If the fuse is clearing right away there is a short issue. Start checking harnesses for rub through. Possible combination switch as well.

Prints are in the FSM, and head lamps are separate from the makers / brakes / tails / license plate and illumination lamps.

Its not a ground problem. it positive going to the chassis or component leak through.

[fourLUG_hero]

Yeah that same one controls your illumination for your stereo, cluster, and parking lights. DIsconnect your illumination wire and tape it off on your stereo. Very common problem with chopped up stereo wiring.

Please elaborate. That doesn't sound too bad of an idea. Are you saying run a wire from my radio's illumination to wire up my tail lights and stuff? I'm a noob in electrical, I'm sorry.

[zerepdivad]

No i'm not saying to do that. I'm saying check behind your radio and see if there is any exposed wires back there. Very often with these cars kids hack up the wiring because they're too cheap to buy a 10 dollar harness and do it right, and they end up leaving a bunch of bare wires.

[canlyhanson]

Yeah wh

No i'm not saying to do that. I'm saying check behind your radio and see if there is any exposed wires back there. Very often with these cars kids hack up the wiring because they're too cheap to buy a 10 dollar harness and do it right, and they end up leaving a bunch of bare wires.

Yeah, what he said is true. I think he has given best suggestion. Thanks for that....

[TheBlaiant]