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Hey everyone, my first post here. I have read through many of the forums on this topic, and have yet to find a solution, its driving me crazy!
While driving, my left turn signal became a solid light on the dash, then shortly after the dash illumination lights and tail lights went out and the turn signals worked properly again. I checked the under hood small lights fuse 15a and it was blown. each time i replace the fuse it blows again, so i assume there is a short somewhere in the circuit.
I did recently upgrade the battery to a group 24 which is much bigger, so i had to modify the battery tray area to make it fit. This was maybe three days prior.
So far i have tried:
replacing tail light bulbs.
removing all rear bulbs, and trying new fuse (blows)
removed and unplugged dash assembly (blows)
looked for frayed, damaged wires in the battery area (nothing obvious)
checked wires around rear taillight assembly
removed the R2 relay under dash and jumped the two poles on top with a paper clip, dash lights flickered on then fuse blew
-i'll probably try and replace the relay for fun, but i dont think its the problem?
attached a test light from positive terminal to blown fuse terminal. light turns on when I have headlights on, and I can also hear buzzing sound from R2 relay under dash when I do this.
-i watched a youtube video of a guy installing a headlight between the battery and the blown fuse terminal and apparently light will go out when short is removed, but im unfomfortable with the buzzing from the relay
I still have factory stereo installed.
detached fuse box tray under hood and looked at wires underneath (nothing obviously wrong)
detached licence plate light plug (fuse blew)
If anyone has any ideas of how to further diagnose this problem or other things I should check I would be super grateful. I dont have a wiring diagram, so i am not sure if there is anything else on this circuit I should be looking at isolating.
I have a mechanic booked in a couple weeks, but worried it will take hours and several hundreds in parts that may or may not fix the issue.
Cheers!
In addition to the tail lights, these other components are also protected by under-hood Fuse No. 6.
Hazard Warning Switch
Heater Control Unit-Panel
Glove Box Light
Coin Pocket Light (M/T models)
Seat Heater Switch (if equipped)
Left Front Parking Light
Right Front Parking Light
Power Mirror Switch
Audio Unit
Cruise Control Main Switch/VSA OFF Switch
Moonroof Switch (if equipped)
Gauge Assembly
Front Passenger’s Airbag Cut-off Indicator
thanks for your reply,
my hazard lights and switch, heater controls, audio, cruise, vsa switch, power mirrors, gauges (minus illumination), and airbag indicator still work. Wouldn’t this mean they would be controlled by a different fuse? Could there still be a short in these systems that would affect tail lights? I know people have had issues with aftermarket stereos causing problems, but don’t understand how if they are under a different fuse circuit.
I will check the glovebox light, parking lights, and coin pocket light to see if they are functional.
Ok thanks. I can’t say I understand how those systems would still work if the positive side fuse is blown, but sounds like I need to check them all.
I guess my next step would be to remove each of those systems one at a time and see if it makes a difference? Instead of bowing a fuse each time, does it make sense to continue trying a test light between the positive terminal and the blown fuse terminal, with the headlight switch on? Would the buzzing relay be an indicator of something? ( this only happens when I have the test light hooked up).
The illumination circuit is separate from other circuits that may be on a component.
This is an example why some components still work if Fuse No. 6 is blown.
In this image, the illumination circuit is to turn on the light bulb in the hazard switch. It does not affect the other functions and circuits of the hazard switch, which gets power from other power source, etc.
While driving, my left turn signal became a solid light on the dash, then shortly after the dash illumination lights and tail lights went out and the turn signals worked properly again. I checked the under hood small lights fuse 15a and it was blown. each time i replace the fuse it blows again, so i assume there is a short somewhere in the circuit.
I did recently upgrade the battery to a group 24 which is much bigger, so i had to modify the battery tray area to make it fit. This was maybe three days prior.
!
I would first focus on the engine wire harness going to the left front parking light and the left front turn signal. Check the harness wiring carefully for cuts, rubbing against metal chassis, etc.
Amazing, thanks for your explanations and suggestions. I will have a closer look at this area again.
I feel like the test light could be very helpful here when wiggling wires. Do you have experience with this? I’m going to try bridging the test light between the two poles of the fuse in question and see if it lights up. I’m not sure if this is the same as going from the positive terminal of the battery to the fuse. I’m also not sure if the key should be on or if the headlight switch on for this test.
sorry for all the questions, I just don’t want to be barking up the wrong tree with my limited electrical experience. My car is also parked about a km from my house with all this snow, so a pain to work on at the moment.
cheers.
06 crv tail and dash light short
