Short blows tail lamp fuse; brights stuck on

[elliot]

Hi folks,

1994 Q45. Last week, my dash lights suddenly went out. I noticed that the brights were stuck on and the tail lamps were out. To make a long story short: the tail lamp fuse (under the hood) blew, and would keep blowing when it was replaced.

I searched these forums and found a few references to the same problem. Since I didn't think I could find the problem myself, I brought it in to my local mechanic (not a dealer). It took him 15 *hours* before he found the short: in the *front* parking light.

So, in case this happens to you, I have now heard of this being caused by shorts in the tail lights, in the harness by the trunk hinges, and now, with my car, in the front parking light.

Between this, and getting a tune-up including having to get a new MAF, I've put in about $1500 in the past two weeks. It's a good thing I love this car (145,000 miles young, plus 100 miles per day).

--Elliot

[Q45tech]

Why you make a point of changing every bulb in the external system and a few internals on a regular basis. Every few years to check sockets

12 volt bulbs and sockets are so very different from 120VAC light bulbs.

Think of the massive socket area of a simple screw in home bulb.