I'm not sure if this is the right forum .. move if needed .. Thanks!

Ok I've got a 95 Civic Hatchback and when I went to start it the other day I noticed that my dash lights were out so I checked the fuse and it was blown so I replaced the fuse and it was fine .. until the next morning then the same problem only now the fuse blows every time I turn on the headlight switch .. I've used a test light and the test light comes on as soon as i turn on the headlight switch so I'm pretty sure there's a short somewhere .. but I still haven't found it.

As far as I can tell the fuse is used for .. the dashlights, taillights, license lamp and the combination switch (I think that's the headlight switch??) .. I've tried disconnecting the taillights and the license lights from the harness and tugging on the wire harness and still no luck .. I was wondering if anyone could tell me how to check if the headlight switch itself was bad and causing the fuse to blow or if anyone else has had this sort of problem .. sorry if this is a repost .. Thanks

 

post #8
http://hondacivicforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=71085

 

Thx trustdestruction .. i'll try and see if it's the dimmer switch and will post back ..

 

it's not the dimmer switch
read post #8 on that thread, like i said

 

oh .. sry .. ok I'll try that tomorrow .. this may sound dumb but how do I use the multimeter to check it .. I see what terminals to check but do I put one probe on each terminal (Red on D terminal and black on the E) or do I touch them one at a time .. sry I'm not that good with electronics but i'll try .. Thanks again

 

you touch one to each terminal at the same time, it doesn't matter which is red or black. do it the way the diagram says. the switch must be in the position of the function you are testing the switch for.

 

ok thx.

 

Ok I tried what post #8 suggested and the switch seems fine .. any other suggestions?? Thanks!

 

i think you have a short for sure somewhere then. it's going to be a pain in the *** to find.

 

I found it .. sort of .. i disconnected all the connectors that go to that fuse and the test light went out .. It's in the hatch area .. I've removed all the bulbs in the tail lights and it's fine until I put a bulb back in then the test light come on .. one of the sockets is really rusted out .. could this be causing the short? Thanks!

 

if it's rusted bad enough i suppose it could be causing a short
since you removed it though and it fixed it, the first thing i'd try is replacing the socket. that should probably fix your problem.

 

ok I'll try that .. Thanks A lot!

 

I've replaced the socket and everythings good .. Thanks for the help.