Tail Light/Dash Light Problem (Cont.)

[Aussie Q45a]

If this topic is getting too boreing just say so and I'll drop it.

I'm still chasing the short in the tail lights. Have done all the suggestions in SEARCH except replace the main 120 amp fuse. I've tried to remove it but it wont budge. Looks like the only way i can get it out is to smash it!!!! .When I stick a nail ( just for a second or 2) in the 10 amp tail light fuse space I get a buzzing noise from the box in the pic. This box fits between the fuse box and inner guard. Anyway does anyone know what this box is called ? And should it buzz if the tail light fuse is shorted out, and when it buzzes does this mean that this could be the problem with the tail light & dash light not working?

[Aussie Q45a]

Another pic of fuse box.

[RobertsnewQ]

Isn't that the headlight relay? It also controls the markers/taillights.

OK - I haven't been following your saga, but your taillights blow the big PAL link? Or the 10A fuse? According to the 93 FSM, no taillight current flows through the big PAL link. So I would ignore that for the moment and diagnose the system.

Does it still happen if you unplug both taillights at the trunk harness? Each of the side markers in turn? The bulb sensor module?

Use the process of elimination to cross each segment of the circuit off - electrical is easy to diagnose IF you have the circuit diagram in front of you and IF you take the time to trace the problem.
Modified by RobertsnewQ at 12:49 PM 8/8/2005

[SUITE E]

You probably doen't have a short ANYWHERE. In the trunk behind the panel, directly underneath the trunk latch, Infinit has hidden the brake light sensor. A small and expensive 80 buks) unit that melts over time. Check it out first

[JZ90Q45]

Hi,

I had the same problem with the tail light and dsh light will not lid. Have you found a fix for your problem?

Thanks,

[Q45tech]

The larger fuseable links are held in place with screws on the bottom lugs.

Defective low quality bulbs melt sockets and take out the sensor assembly.

[Aussie Q45a]

Hi,

I had the same problem with the tail light and dsh light will not lid. Have you found a fix for your problem?

Thanks,

Yep, after many,many hours of tracing all the wireing throughout the entire car I found the short. Funny thing it was the last place I looked .The wireing in the interior sun visor on the right side had been twisted around many times and had shorted out on the bracket that bolts it in place. Had to replace about 3 ft of wireing behind the hood lining. You WILL have a "dead short" somewhere. Be patient and check ALL the harness's. I had used a couple of 20 amp fuses befors they blew so the wireing was pretty well cooked and easy to see once I loacted it. I was lucky the hood lining didn't catch fire.

I'm assumeing that you have checked your tail light fuse?

Good LuckGreg

[Q45tech]

So common, I didn't mention things that were fixed by US dealers 10 years ago. The plastic nut will strip and the visor will fall in passengers lap. Rethread and use a metal nut.

Obviously the Japanese dealers never got to lots of problems that showed up in US as the miles progressed. ABS assembly, Master cylinder, Speedometer, drive shaft, chain guides, radio amps, seat belts, Glove box breaks hinges, ash tray, HVAC cpu/controller.

[JZ90Q45]

All the fuses are OK. I tested each and everyone with meter. Does anyone has a FSM for Q45? This happen at the same time I replaced my radio. Is there any socket that I might have loosing? If there is a short than I assume one of the fuse will blow. Is there a relay that control the tail light?

[Aussie Q45a]

Make sure that you reconnected the earth wires from the radio harness to a metal part of the dash. Mine has two earth wires one black the other black with two pink dots every 4 inches or so. I put these under the screws that hold the radio in place. Don't know if this will help for sure but I seem to remember another member had this problem when I was researching my tail light problem.