Tail Fuse Issues (1 Viewer)

[haganLX45096]

Hey all I've read through other trouble shooting on similar issues but with no luck. I am having issues with #2 Tail Fuse (15 AMP) blowing every time I turn on the lights. It takes out my Dash lights (minus the warning lights, I see you ABS). The first time it happened I was just driving home from a friends house, had the lights on and then it went randomly. Didn't hit a bump or anything just popped. I have pulled the radio, I have pulled all rear and side marker bulbs, I have also pulled the dimmer switch. Still keeps popping on me. I recently did a couple things and just not sure if might have messed up something. Listing below in order of when I did the following with 1 being the most recent.

1) Had to pull the brake booster and needed to adjust the brake pedal switch, in doing so I twisted some wires around but those are still functioning. I know TAIL doesn't control those but I was there. (<1 month ago)
2) Pulled the Antenna and replaced with GMRS antenna. Antenna wire was cut and is coming from the fender, not sure if this was a bad move and I am causing issues there. Maybe I removed a ground I wasn't supposed too. (2 months ago)
3) Spliced in back up lights under the vehicle to improve visibility. (6 months ago)

This is only happening when the lights are turned on all the way, at first it was controllable by turning the dimmer all the way down but now it pops right when the lights go on.

I know corrosion can be an issue in the back left corner near the jack, I do get water back there from time to time. Not sure what to look for there.

Any help is appreciated. I am an electrical idiot... those this might take some time.

 

[jonheld]

1) Had to pull the brake booster and needed to adjust the brake pedal switch, in doing so I twisted some wires around but those are still functioning. I know TAIL doesn't control those but I was there. (<1 month ago)
2) Pulled the Antenna and replaced with GMRS antenna. Antenna wire was cut and is coming from the fender, not sure if this was a bad move and I am causing issues there. Maybe I removed a ground I wasn't supposed too. (2 months ago)
3) Spliced in back up lights under the vehicle to improve visibility. (6 months ago)

This is only happening when the lights are turned on all the way, at first it was controllable by turning the dimmer all the way down but now it pops right when the lights go on.

I know corrosion can be an issue in the back left corner near the jack, I do get water back there from time to time. Not sure what to look for there.

Any help is appreciated. I am an electrical idiot... those this might take some time.

When you say "Antenna wire was cut" are you referring to the coax or the power to the antenna motor?
What powers the new reverse lights?

Other than what you've done, the low hanging fruit would be the OEM trailer harness behind the rear crossmember. That connector is exposed to the elements and has been the cause of several folks woe and strife.

I would also suggest that you download the Toyota FSM and EWD from the resources section. Every system on the vehicle is documented.

 

[haganLX45096]

When you say "Antenna wire was cut" are you referring to the coax or the power to the antenna motor?
What powers the new reverse lights?

Other than what you've done, the low hanging fruit would be the OEM trailer harness behind the rear crossmember. That connector is exposed to the elements and has been the cause of several folks woe and strife.

I would also suggest that you download the Toyota FSM and EWD from the resources section. Every system on the vehicle is documented.

Yeah just cut the coax, just wasn't sure if something was tied in to that or something I didn't realize. I do have the EWD downloaded so diving in to that more and more. Just tough for me to understand that stuff... meat and potatoes I can do. Electrical finesse me not so good.

Will check the trailer harness. I spliced the wires from the back up lights and ran down through the back end. Did my best to do a quality job, heat shrink and correct wiring. Just don't think its that since only happening when turning front lights on but I guess I could be over loading something.

 

[jonheld]

Yeah just cut the coax, just wasn't sure if something was tied in to that or something I didn't realize. I do have the EWD downloaded so diving in to that more and more. Just tough for me to understand that stuff... meat and potatoes I can do. Electrical finesse me not so good.

Will check the trailer harness. I spliced the wires from the back up lights and ran down through the back end. Did my best to do a quality job, heat shrink and correct wiring. Just don't think its that since only happening when turning front lights on but I guess I could be over loading something.

Reverse lights are off the GAUGE fuse. Different circuit.

 

[voodu3]

Check the condition of the bulb socket and wiring going into it. Have you tried the lights with the taillight bulb out? IIRC when my taillights weren’t working one side of the socket was bad. Mine wasn’t blowing fuses but the taillights didn’t work until I replaced the bulb socket.

 

[haganLX45096]

Check the condition of the bulb socket and wiring going into it. Have you tried the lights with the taillight bulb out? IIRC when my taillights weren’t working one side of the socket was bad. Mine wasn’t blowing fuses but the taillights didn’t work until I replaced the bulb socket.

I did try with all bulbs pulled. All on tail and side marker lights. Will take a longer look at the sockets though... trailer stuff could be a concern so will see where that takes me.

 

[haganLX45096]

Ok so update. I pulled the whole dang car... Tested all the grounds and all the bulbs out back. Glove box light. Pulled the radio.

At last I forgot about the ashtray bulb. I pulled that and so far that seems to be the trick. Both glove box and ashtray lights were blown so not sure what gives there but for anyone in the future. Check all the bulbs. ALL OF THEM.

 

[Squash]

You said water under the jack!
Remove the jack and check the connectors.
Open the connections and look closely.
Look for green/blue oxidation and or a shorted wire.
Repair any holes in the quarter panel to keep water out.
If you live in a region where road salt is applied during the winter be doubly sure to fix this...
Another problem is trailer wiring, make sure the wiring is good and that the plug is free of green/blue oxidation as well.

As for the ash tray, check inside the cigarette lighter for and metal shorting from lost parts or kids stuffing dimes in when they are bored.

 

[Rifleman]

I know corrosion can be an issue in the back left corner near the jack, I do get water back there from time to time. Not sure what to look for there.

A place to check with the garden hose is the trim piece that runs along the bottom of the sliding windows, between the C, and D pillars,

I've seen water get in around that trims mounting holes, and a leak in that location will drip down onto your jack,