Ok, Ill put as much info in here as I can as I have already spent a few hours looking at this. Issue is present whether truck is running, off, doors open or closed, etc....Ive tried to make sure its not any specific thing that might be causing the problem.
98 Tacoma, ext cab, 4cyl auto. Base model. 2004 front clip, battery relocated to custom battery box under the bed.
Running lights, front by the headlights and tail lights DO NOT WORK
Headlights both high and low beam WORK
Turn Signals in bumper and rear WORK
Brake Lights WORK
Dash lights WORK
(so this leads me to believe it very well might not be a broken wire that is grounding out though I know it still could be)
Replace 10A fuse and as soon as you turn on the switch the lights come on for a split second and then the fuse blows.
TROUBLESHOOTING;
-Traced the entire harness front to back, interior (NOT INCLUDING each location to illuminated dash locations...but again these all work). Where I have found a cut\open wire (like tag lights that are missing) Ive made sure there is nothing being grounded.
-Swapped TAIL relay in main engine fuse box with relax to the right of it (cannot remember which it is) and problem persists plus everything else still works.
-Completely disconnected and removed the following;
--Tail lights
--Front corner lights
--front bumper lights-
--Radio
--Gauge Cluster
--A\C dash button
--Cig lighter connected to the dash trim but still have 2 others located below that ARE still plgged in.
****With all of the above disconnected, the fuse still blows.
-Pulled harness from behind radiator (just to make sure it wasnt melted through)
-Inspected engine bay fuse panel as all wires have been cut and crimpted together....I will go through and solder all these, probably relocate the fuse box at that time but I want to fix the blowing fuse first.
I have found one of the online service manuals and it specifies to check the following for;
PROBLEM
Taillight does not light up
(Headlight is normal)
CHECK
1. TAIL Fuse (No.2 R/B)
2. Light Control Switch
3. Taillight Control Relay (No.2 R/B)
4. Taillight Bulb
5. Wire Harness
1. TAIL fuse I keep blowing so thats not it lol
2. Light control switch....my thinking is that IF this was it, my dash lights would not work
3. Taillight Control Relay...if this is the small relay directly in line with the fuse that is labeled TAIL then it SHOULD be good as Ive swapped it with the relay next to it.
4. Bulb...Ive disconnected ALL bulbs except dash lights
5. Wire harness....at this point its almost going to have to be inspected inch by inch, being pulled completely out of the split loom as everything that is not loomed or that looked at all questionable Ive inspected.
SO......what in the crap am I missing?? Aside from what snakes into the dash the base wiring for the parking\driving lights is so simple. When I got the truck I thought this was an easy fix but this is starting to frustrate me lol. I will check the relay with a meter (tonight if i can), I guess I can also check the switch but again....if its bad then why do my dash lights work? :shrug:
Considering that my dash lights work I am inclined to believe its something directly related to the TAIL part of the system but I could be wrong.
So comon.....ideas please!!!
Oh and even though its on a seperate fuse and all....someone installed an L.E.D. dome light in the factory location. Ill remove it JUST to make sure its not reaching its hands deep down and causing the issue....I thought about this late last night so cannot look at this till tonight.
Thanks for any help you guys might can provide.
98 Tacoma, ext cab, 4cyl auto. Base model. 2004 front clip, battery relocated to custom battery box under the bed.
Running lights, front by the headlights and tail lights DO NOT WORK
Headlights both high and low beam WORK
Turn Signals in bumper and rear WORK
Brake Lights WORK
Dash lights WORK
(so this leads me to believe it very well might not be a broken wire that is grounding out though I know it still could be)
Replace 10A fuse and as soon as you turn on the switch the lights come on for a split second and then the fuse blows.
TROUBLESHOOTING;
-Traced the entire harness front to back, interior (NOT INCLUDING each location to illuminated dash locations...but again these all work). Where I have found a cut\open wire (like tag lights that are missing) Ive made sure there is nothing being grounded.
-Swapped TAIL relay in main engine fuse box with relax to the right of it (cannot remember which it is) and problem persists plus everything else still works.
-Completely disconnected and removed the following;
--Tail lights
--Front corner lights
--front bumper lights-
--Radio
--Gauge Cluster
--A\C dash button
--Cig lighter connected to the dash trim but still have 2 others located below that ARE still plgged in.
****With all of the above disconnected, the fuse still blows.
-Pulled harness from behind radiator (just to make sure it wasnt melted through)
-Inspected engine bay fuse panel as all wires have been cut and crimpted together....I will go through and solder all these, probably relocate the fuse box at that time but I want to fix the blowing fuse first.
I have found one of the online service manuals and it specifies to check the following for;
PROBLEM
Taillight does not light up
(Headlight is normal)
CHECK
1. TAIL Fuse (No.2 R/B)
2. Light Control Switch
3. Taillight Control Relay (No.2 R/B)
4. Taillight Bulb
5. Wire Harness
1. TAIL fuse I keep blowing so thats not it lol
2. Light control switch....my thinking is that IF this was it, my dash lights would not work
3. Taillight Control Relay...if this is the small relay directly in line with the fuse that is labeled TAIL then it SHOULD be good as Ive swapped it with the relay next to it.
4. Bulb...Ive disconnected ALL bulbs except dash lights
5. Wire harness....at this point its almost going to have to be inspected inch by inch, being pulled completely out of the split loom as everything that is not loomed or that looked at all questionable Ive inspected.
SO......what in the crap am I missing?? Aside from what snakes into the dash the base wiring for the parking\driving lights is so simple. When I got the truck I thought this was an easy fix but this is starting to frustrate me lol. I will check the relay with a meter (tonight if i can), I guess I can also check the switch but again....if its bad then why do my dash lights work? :shrug:
Considering that my dash lights work I am inclined to believe its something directly related to the TAIL part of the system but I could be wrong.
So comon.....ideas please!!!
Oh and even though its on a seperate fuse and all....someone installed an L.E.D. dome light in the factory location. Ill remove it JUST to make sure its not reaching its hands deep down and causing the issue....I thought about this late last night so cannot look at this till tonight.
Thanks for any help you guys might can provide.
