no running lights??

[myXiswhite]

ok guys so my running lights (front/rear/dash) just stopped working a couple nights ago while driving. i checked the fuses and there was a blown fuse from under the hood. i replaced dit and a few min later it blew it again, i replaced it and again. does anyone have any idea where i should start checking?? or has anone else had this problem?

 

[drbandkgb]

Have you added anything to it lately? Radio or messed with any of the electronics?

 

[idratherbe]

Maybe a short somewhere? I would look at wiring anywhere it could have rubbed the insulation off the wires. A short is a tough thing to find sometimes but that's what it sounds like.

 

[Muadeeb]

1st place is any new wiring changes. Even if it isn't directly related to the lamps, moving the harness could have caused an abrasion on one of the lamp wires enough that once they start to heat, the insulation breaks down enough to allow a short; other possibility with movement is a break at a connector due to age leading to the wire brushing against a ground. After that, start disconnecting sections of lamps/wiring to isolate where is problem is. Without knowing your vehicle, trailer lamps and plate lamps are the first thing I'd go after, as they are the most exposed to the elements. Beyond that would be the dimmer control or even the combo switch itself.

 

[Kris&HerX]

Check your battery and terminal connections as well. We had a dimming issue last week and simply just had to replace the terminal connectors with new ones and clean the battery down with some baking soda.

 

[myXiswhite]

thanks guys. so I checked the lights switch and behind the cluster and theres nothing loose or exposed. i checked rear tail lights. and havent added any electrical stuff recently. I replaced the fuse and they seem to last a lil longer but it seems to blow a fuse when i make turns but not everytime any suggestions??

 

[Cameron23]

thanks guys. so I checked the lights switch and behind the cluster and theres nothing loose or exposed. i checked rear tail lights. and havent added any electrical stuff recently. I replaced the fuse and they seem to last a lil longer but it seems to blow a fuse when i make turns but not everytime any suggestions??

turns using turn signal?


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[Cameron23]

check those wire clusters


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[Muadeeb]

Yes, Does it happen when using the turn indicators, or not? Either way, you're looking at an intermittant short somewhere in the wiring harness, probably the one leading up the steering column. Get an automotive circuit breaker, the kind that goes in a fuse holder, and start poking around. I'm in the middle of 12 things (all annoying) but give me a few hours and I may have some places to check.

 

[myXiswhite]

they dont turn on when I turn on my blinkers although my blinkers do work. and headlights work fine. i also noticed my turn signal doesnt automatically turn off after i make a turn so i might need to check that switch maybe?

 

[Muadeeb]

The turn signals should auto-shutoff after the wheel is turned a certain amount; 30* maybe?

Wonderful thing about all this? I now have to troubleshoot the same problem on my X.

 

[Cameron23]

they dont turn on when I turn on my blinkers although my blinkers do work. and headlights work fine. i also noticed my turn signal doesnt automatically turn off after i make a turn so i might need to check that switch maybe?

I understand they are not the same light however being located right next to each other means their wires are probably in the same cluster. I would check the clusters.


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[Muadeeb]

This may not be your problem, but I found my short in the plate lamps. I unplugged this connector

And it cleared

The connector is the bottom one, located behind the right wheel.


This is also invaluable
http://www.harborfreight.com/20-amp-automotive-fuse-circuit-tester-67725.html
Normal draw in that circuit should be about 2 amps

sent via wild ferret

 

[myXiswhite]

This may not be your problem, but I found my short in the plate lamps. I unplugged this connector
View attachment 379
And it cleared

The connector is the bottom one, located behind the right wheel.


This is also invaluable
http://www.harborfreight.com/20-amp-automotive-fuse-circuit-tester-67725.html
Normal draw in that circuit should be about 2 amps

sent via wild ferret

hey where exactly is this connector i wasnt able to find it

 

[myXiswhite]

The turn signals should auto-shutoff after the wheel is turned a certain amount; 30* maybe?

Wonderful thing about all this? I now have to troubleshoot the same problem on my X.

yeah i know they should but it only turns off on left turns and not always on right turns... and i just started noticing this.

 

[Muadeeb]

hey where exactly is this connector i wasnt able to find it

Passenger side, behind the rear wheel under the truck. It's nearly at the end of the truck with three connectors in the grouping. They are protected by a bit of plastic with the 'C' harness facing the rear.

 

[myXiswhite]

so I still have this issue. and I dont understand. did you just simply umplug that connector and it solved your problem? I unplugged it and it seems like my license plate lights are off and thats about all i can see that it did

 

[Muadeeb]

It may not have been your problem. Let's try this procedure:
1st, the current meter I link'd to earlier is invaluable as it'll let you see the draw without blowing fuse after fuse. Normal is about 2 Amps. Fail will be current rising to the max (20A for that meter)

Turn the switch to the 1st position and pull the fuse under the hood. "Test" means to poke the tester in the fuse slot and remove after a brief time. If the meter doesn't max out, go on to the "a" of each step. Order is easiest to test to more difficult.

1) Unplug the dimmer, test, and reattach
IF STILL FAILS, GO TO 2
1a) Problem in the dimmer itself.

2) Unplug the bottom most connector in the SMJ area -- Right side behind the bottom most panel next to where your foot goes (10mm and a pin hold it in). Test and replace.
IF STILL FAILS GO TO 3
2a) Unplug the Bottom connector, behind the left rear wheel (4 wires coming out of it). Test, replace.
If it fails, the problem is in the harness leading back to there. If all is OK, then it's in the plate lights. (MyX, you already eliminated the plate lights)

3) Behind the interior fuse panel is the controller for the warning chime. If you have power locks, there is a module with 3 connections -- find the one with only two rows of connections. If you do not, then it's only 1 connector with 6 wires on it. Remove it test and replace
IF STILL FAILS GO TO 4
3a) problem inside that module.

4) Pull the driver seat. Under the rear part of the carpet are four connections; the middle of the three big ones you need to disconnect. Test and replace
IF STILL FAILS GO TO 5
4a) Problem is in the harness between there and the Left Rear combo lamp.

5) Unplug the SMJ. Right side of passenger compartment, behind lowest most panel. This connector is bolted together.
IF STILL FAILS, GO SEE A SPECIALIST -- Problem in main harness between switch and SMJ OR parking lights. Difficult to get to.
5a) Unplug ALL of those connectors at the same time, test.
IF STILL FAILS, GO TO 6
5b) Plug in each connector, testing after each one (we're confirming good at this point). If you get a fail after a certain connector, trace it down to find the short and continue the sequence after repair.

6) Initial problem is in the harness for the dash lighting. All these lights are paralleled and there are no connectors to break the chain, so finding it won't be easy. Electrical specialist would be highly recommended.


Electrical issues are no fun, and your's is starting to sound like a beast.

 

[myXiswhite]

thanks so much for the info I will try this on the weekend and yeah its no fun, i'll let u know my results!