Sounds like a shorted headlight switch?
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Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 8,005
Likes: 7
From: Ottawa, Ontario
Sounds like a shorted headlight switch?
So on my '91 E250 Club Wagon, I have an odd short somewhere, in the dome light system, witch is on the same fuse for the radio.
If I turn the key back to ACC, and have the radio playing, and open the side doors, as soon as the door opens, and the dome light comes on, the fuse blows.
I took the dome light bulbs out, and same problem.
Now with all doors closed, radio on, if I turn the headlight switch to the left to turn on only the dome light on, fuse blows. Same thing with radio off.
It only happens with the side doors, as the 2 front doors, the little button thing that pops out when you open the doors to turn the dome light on, doesn't work.
Does it sound like a short somewhere in the dome light thingy alone? Or in the headlight switch? Makes no difference if there is a bulb or not in the socket, soon as I turn the lights on, fuse blows.
Any ideas as to what, and how to diagnose this? I'm terrible with electricals.
If I turn the key back to ACC, and have the radio playing, and open the side doors, as soon as the door opens, and the dome light comes on, the fuse blows.
I took the dome light bulbs out, and same problem.
Now with all doors closed, radio on, if I turn the headlight switch to the left to turn on only the dome light on, fuse blows. Same thing with radio off.
It only happens with the side doors, as the 2 front doors, the little button thing that pops out when you open the doors to turn the dome light on, doesn't work.
Does it sound like a short somewhere in the dome light thingy alone? Or in the headlight switch? Makes no difference if there is a bulb or not in the socket, soon as I turn the lights on, fuse blows.
Any ideas as to what, and how to diagnose this? I'm terrible with electricals.
Lead Driver
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 7,958
Likes: 592
From: Greater Austin, Texas
First thing I would do is remove the screws that hold the dome light housings in and let them hang. This will tell you if the short is at the housing or in the wiring itself. One of the 2 screws is for ground, the other is hot and has an insulator to keep it from shorting out. Maybe one of the insulators wore thru?
Thread Starter
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Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 8,005
Likes: 7
From: Ottawa, Ontario
Alright, update on this.
I removed the 2 front door switch things that open the lights when you open the door. The drivers one was super corroded and a little prong was gone, I disconnected it, and problem solved......for about a week.
Sunday in at my friends campground, had the side doors open on the van, and sitting around it, out of nowhere I see the dome light turn off...and sure enough fuse blown.
So when I get home, I removed all the door switchs, turn the light **** to turn on the dome light, bang fuse blows.
So I remove both dome lights, the whole assembly, bang again soon as you turn the head light switch **** for the dome light.
So any ideas from here? Could it be a bare wire somewhere inside the body? and if so, how can I find where, how do I test for that, or does it sound like a shorted fuse box or headlight switch?
I took the headlight switch out thinking that might be it, but the switch looks mint, as well as the connector, so i'm stumped!
I removed the 2 front door switch things that open the lights when you open the door. The drivers one was super corroded and a little prong was gone, I disconnected it, and problem solved......for about a week.
Sunday in at my friends campground, had the side doors open on the van, and sitting around it, out of nowhere I see the dome light turn off...and sure enough fuse blown.
So when I get home, I removed all the door switchs, turn the light **** to turn on the dome light, bang fuse blows.
So I remove both dome lights, the whole assembly, bang again soon as you turn the head light switch **** for the dome light.
So any ideas from here? Could it be a bare wire somewhere inside the body? and if so, how can I find where, how do I test for that, or does it sound like a shorted fuse box or headlight switch?
I took the headlight switch out thinking that might be it, but the switch looks mint, as well as the connector, so i'm stumped!
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