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Tail Light Problem

Old Dec 22, 2010 | 06:48 PM
  #1  
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Tail Light Problem

Hey guys.

I have a 1990 Ford Bronco, full size, 302 V8.


The tail lights won't work.


Well, let me start at the beginning.


Headlights, turn signals, brake lights, all work.


No tail lights.

The fuse blew. So, I replaced it, and I had rear running lights. Turned on the turn signal with the lights on, it blew the fuse.


...Weird, right?


What's causing that, you think?
 
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Old Dec 22, 2010 | 10:37 PM
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too much current is trying to go thru the fuse.
 
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Old Dec 23, 2010 | 05:11 PM
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Well, last night with the turn signal was just a coincidence.


I put in a new fuse, turned on the lights..

1..2..3..

The fuse blew

Tried it again.

1..2..3..

The fuse blew again.


Both times the fuse blew without the turn signals on.
 
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Old Dec 23, 2010 | 05:12 PM
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What number fuse was it? Number 5? How many amps? 20A?
 
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Old Dec 23, 2010 | 06:52 PM
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Originally Posted by g_k50
too much current is trying to go thru the fuse.

NO SH**, Dang learn something new every day.
 
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Old Dec 23, 2010 | 07:15 PM
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Originally Posted by g_k50
What number fuse was it? Number 5? How many amps? 20A?
I can't remember the # right off, but it's a 30amp fuse. Actually, i'll go look right now...
 
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Old Dec 23, 2010 | 07:18 PM
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#4 on the diagram.

Top right hand corner.




Well, in the truck, it's turned so the flashers are at the bottom left..
 
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Old Dec 23, 2010 | 07:51 PM
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Get a resettable circuit breaker, or just a handfull of fuses, when they are on before the fuse pops see if one of the lights is not working or dim. that will tell you where the short is.
 
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Old Dec 23, 2010 | 08:52 PM
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another way to do it is to take all the bulbs out of the rear tail lights, then put them back in one at a time until the fuse blows. Go from there.

If it blows before any bulbs are put in then the wiring is shorted to ground probably where something was connected wrong.
 
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Old Dec 23, 2010 | 11:45 PM
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Originally Posted by vtjvt
Get a resettable circuit breaker, or just a handfull of fuses, when they are on before the fuse pops see if one of the lights is not working or dim. that will tell you where the short is.

And if one of the lights are out, what do I do then?
 
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Old Dec 24, 2010 | 12:19 AM
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start there and trace the wires and sockets to find the short.
 
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Old Dec 24, 2010 | 01:59 AM
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Remove the load as g_k50 suggested. That is the least troublesome method and will pinpoint the problem. Otherwise you are chasing "gremlins" and will need to buy stock in Bussman Fuse Co. before you find and resolve the issue.
 
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