Archived No Dash or Running Lights??

[.44 mag]

Had to make a drive tonight without my dash or running lights working. Headlights and fogs still worked, thank God. I inspected the fuse panel and couldn't find anything blown. There was something wierd about the light switch though, seems that the fog light indicater is lighting up when the swith is turned to the "parking light" position; it then goes back out when the switch is moved to the "headlight postion".



Anyone had this happen to them? I'm wondering if my headlight switch might have crapped out or something. Any suggestions??



Thanks,



Hank

 

[.44 mag]

Thanks TDR!



Seems MMichaels had this same thing happen a week ago to his truck. I read his post in the 911 Archive and sure enough, it was a blown fuse out in the engine compartment that caused my problem. I'd like to know what made the fuse blow, but I'm happey to know my lights are working again.



Hank

 

[JoshPeters]

Thanks TDR!



Seems MMichaels had this same thing happen a week ago to his truck. I read his post in the 911 Archive and sure enough, it was a blown fuse out in the engine compartment that caused my problem. I'd like to know what made the fuse blow, but I'm happey to know my lights are working again.



Hank

Check back where your trailer harness plugs into the vehicle harness. I've seen multiple times where there is an issue there. Also inspect your trailer harness... Everyone likes to wrap it around the trailer hitch... that way it can rub and chafe and short out... :-laf



JP

 

[DRadzierez]

Had 3 headlight switches do the same thing on 3 differnt 2nd gens. Even if it is a fuse ---there still needs to be a cause and Ill bet you will find a burnt headlight switch if you pull it out.

 

[DRadzierez]

This has always happend to me towing a trailer long periods of time.

 

[.44 mag]

Thanks again!



I'll look at that headlight switch. I agree that there must be something wrong to have blown that fuse. I make it a point not to use the "dimmer" due to the amount of heat it generates in the switch. I do however run my fog lights most times, and I've got higher wattage bulbs in them.



Hank

 

[LSchulz]

I had that same problem this spring about an hour before I was supposed to start an 1000 mile non-stop drive. After tearing the truck to pieces, we found the fuse under the hood, and a short on the trailer (we only found that one because putting the brakes on would backfeed the whole circuit, and the running lights would come on).

 

[GOlsen]

I had the same problem in mine, although once I found the fuse and kept replacing it, it kept blowing. Turns out that when I replaced my factory stereo, the wiring was already pretty butchered. I disconnected a black wire from the back of the radio and assumed it was a ground wire (you know what they say about assuming). Well it turns out that it wasn't a ground wire. I forget exactly what it was for, but it basically caused the fuse to blow. The wierd part was, if I held the headlight switch inbetween positions, all the lights would come back on. It took me quite a while to figure it out.