theschweizer

I've read through a few older posts on this subjects but I haven't been able to figure out why my #30 fuse (dash light fuse) keeps blowing.

I suspect that it has something to do with the fact that about 6 months ago my car stereo was stolen out of my car and I haven't replaced it yet.

I don't know how to go about check the car stereo red/black wire for a possible short.

I am wondering if I simply need to jumper the red/black wire in the car stereo plug but I don't know nor can I tell from my car's electrical schematic.

Can anyone help me out?


Thank you.

Former User

Post pictures of the Red/BlK wire in the stereo plug. Any exposed metal wire?

theschweizer

Sorry for the delayed response. I cannot see any exposed wires. Here is a picture of the red/black wire and plug.

theschweizer

I still haven't resolved this fuse blowing issue. Anyone have an idea I'd appreciate the help. Thank you.

LoveesHondas92

I feel for you. I've been trying to find out how to get my dashlights working. I've had my car almost 2 years.! Almost the same car, if you figure it out.... Remember me && let me know please.? Lol.

Former User

Does the fuse still blow when the dimmer switch is unplugged?

mk378

Check further down the radio harness it is possible when the radio was yanked out the wires got pulled over something sharp and cut there. Also the circuit goes to lights in the heater control panel, that may have been disturbed when the radio was stolen.

I think the 96 has a separate fuse for the lights on the outside of the car but if those are going out when the fuse blows, check them for shorts too.

LoveesHondas92

Mine has never worked.?

theschweizer

RonJ yes it does.

Mk378: I'll check this weekend if I have time.

Thanks guys

theschweizer

So I did my best to look further down that bundle of wires and it seems well covered by a plastic tubing and doesn't appear to be damaged. I'm going to check fuse again again but it may be a week before I get to it. With all the nice weather where I live I've been placed on yard duty.

Any other suggestions you guys may have are welcomed and thanks again for the help you have offer this far.

Former User

Auto or manual transmission?

Test 1
Start by unplugging C419 and C501 from the dash fuse box. Does the fuse still blow? If not, this rules out a bad dash fuse box.

Is anything plugged into the C927 option connector?

Test 2
If fuse did not blow in Test 1, reconnect the fuse box connectors and next unplug all components on the fuse 30 circuit downstream of the dash fuse box:
-Heater control panel
-A/T gear light
-Gauge assembly
-Radio
-Hazards switch
-Rear window defogger switch
-Cruise control switch
-Dimmer switch

Does fuse still blow?

theschweizer

So I finally got time to work on this issue with my car again.

My car is a manual. I started working on Test 1

Nothing was plugged into C927. When I started attempting this first test I quickly realized this it was going to take longer than the time I had. Mainly because C419 is on the backside of the fuse box and seem too difficult to unplug without dismounting the fuse box and who know what else.

Anyways I decide that i would double check my original test with the fuse blowing. I connected the dimmer switch and put in a good 7.5 amp fuse and turned the power to the car on and then turned the head lights on. I then turned it all off and checked the fuse. To my surprise the fuse did NOT blow.

I then repeated my steps with the dimmer switch disconnected and still the fuse did not blow.

I then checked continuity on the the dimmer switch plug ground and I check 12V power. All was good.

I then placed a jumper between the red wire and the black wire. I move my car into a shadowed area. I turned power and my head lights on. I need removed and reconnected the jumper a few times to see if I could notice in change in the dash lights and I DID. I haven't done this check with the dimmer switch connected yet but I will tonight when it is more obvious.

I did end up blowing a fuse when I removed the jumper from the red wire and the black wire with headlights on and then jumpered the red/black wire with the black wire. I got sparks and blew the fuse.

So my guess is that I had a bad fuse and maybe a bad dimmer switch to start this issue. I then either go a bad fuse out of the box or jumpered the wrong wires in my original test to begin with.

Any who thanks for all your responses and help. I'll make another post tonight after I test the dimmer switch.

fcm

The dimmer switch wiring can be confusing, black is ground, red/black is the power and red is the ground for the bulbs, sounds like the Dash Lights Brightness Controller, [dimmer] is bad, jump the black to the red like you did and try it like that, full brightness, for a few days, if fuse no longer blows, replace DLBC. 94

theschweizer

It's a bad dimmer switch after all. I get light on the dash with a jumper between the red wire and the black wire but no light with the dimmer switch plugged in. Thanks again for all the help.