Gatschet

Alright, so about a month ago, I got a 92 civic EX.
When I got it, I noticed the left headlight wasn't working. I bought a new bulb but that didn't fix it.
Then I replaced the fuse for it. The fuse was good, but I replaced it any way. Not fixed.
So since then, I've just been driving with my high beams on.
THEN last night, my tail lights, dash lights, and corner lights stopped working.
This is obviously a fuse problem, so I replaced that fuse. Not fixed.
Any idea what is going on here? The fuses aren't blown.
I'm going to college and have NO money to take it anywhere, so I'm hoping to get some help here.

jbpnoman

Do you have a voltmeter? If you do, test for continuity from the ground plug (harness side) to chassis, and test for 12V on the hot side of the plug with your headlights turned on. Same for the other lights that aren't working.

Gatschet

I can get one and try. Thanks
What would this prove the problem to be? The harness?

jbpnoman

If you get high continuity on the grounds, it'll prove a broken ground wire. If you don't get 12V on the hot side of the plug, it'll prove a different problem that needs deeper diagnosis.

Gatschet

But wouldn't high continuity on the grounds cause a blown fuse?
The fuses are fine themselves

jbpnoman

You already said you replaced the fuses, and a broken ground won't always blow a fuse.

Gatschet

I still haven't got my hands on a voltmeter yet.
But last night, I was driving and my tail lights and corner lights came on, but my brake lights stopped working. Then it went back to how it was, but now, the passenger window isn't working.

Could all this switching around mean its something worse?

Gatschet

Update + bump.
Still no voltmeter.
But today I was fiddling with the fuses and found 3 blown ones I must have missed. I replaced them but it seems the tail lights, running lights, and dash lights still don't work.
But my passenger window and left headlight work fine again.

I don't have a radio deck in my car, so there are some wires loose where one should be. I taped all the ends but still nothing. Could this play a part in what is happening?

Any help greatly appreciated.

jbpnoman

I wouldn't worry about the stereo for now. I haven't had one in my car for a year now, and haven't had anything remotely close to an electrical problem, especially of the scale you're dealing with.

Seriously though, get that voltmeter. It's a tool everyone should have, it's inexpensive, and you can probably have your entire problem diagnosed in a few hours with one.

apexi_rsx

sounds like u have faulty wiring or ur fuse box is frying out... you need a volt meter to test for shorts by using ohms for resistance to see if there are any cuts or shorts in the wire. im sure someone can give u a schematic once u buy a volt meter and tell u what to test