Electrical short

[Rdrdave]

I'm not sure where to begin. One day my lights lit up very bright then went to normal, smelt a little plastic then off goes the panel lights. I drive home, not knowing my taillights are out and so are my brake lights until I get home. Hmmm. Well, I replaced the fuse and it pops as soon as I turn on the headlight switch. Would there be a short in the switch? SHould I start here, then fuse block, then the wires heading back to the taillights? I don't want to tear my truck's electrical out yet, since I use it for work. I just end up having to be home before it gets dark. Any suggestions is greatly appreciated.

[neonlarry]

Most likely its in the wiring not the switch. Quickest way to tell is disconnect the light harnesses and see if it still blows a fuse. Do you have front lights?

[Rdrdave]

The front lights continue to work fine. It blows the panel/brake fuse. If it drive it during the day (don't turn on the headlights), the fuse won't pop. Nothing under the dash looks fried.

[Longhorn Man]

Being that the fuse won't blow in the day, we know the problem isn't in the brake lights, wires/switch.
Try this...you may need a pack of fuses, but it'll narrow down the search.
Remove all lenses. Then unplug all the bulbs. Front markers, side markers and tail lights,turn the inst panel lights all the way down to where they will not turn on.
Turn on the headlights.
If it pops, then it is time to start looking at the harness(es).
If it doesn't pop, then turn the dash lights on...if it stays light, your inst lighting is OK
Hook up the side markers...then front markers...and then tail lights.
once the fuse pops from installing a bulb, then you need to first discard and replace the bulb and try again. If it blows up again with a new bulb at the same lamp, then inspect that part and all wires leading to it from the main harness.
This is all assuming you have not been in there messing with something right before it all went to crap. If you installed/messed with a trailor harness, or bumped into something in traffic...ect, then you'd obviously look there first.

[Rdrdave]

I'll try it thanks!

[67sss]

One day my lights lit up very bright then went to normal......................I'd start at the alt/regulator. Lights don't flicker unless there's a voltage change. Just my 2 cents worth.................

[Longhorn Man]

67, I saw that but I think it is unrelated. The fact that the fuse blows only when the parking lights get turned on tells me there is actually a short to ground in that circuit.
The light flair may have just been from hitting the throttle and being the last thing noticed right before the fuse went south.

[Rdrdave]

Well, I found it! Also found some other mickey mouse wiring that I fixed. The problem was the tape on the lighted lic. plate frame. THe PO didn't use a connector just elec. tape. Well it slid away from the connection (probably no more sticky from the elements) and the wires were touching my roll pan. Had a chance to look at the rest of the wiring and found a splice that I took out and the checked the rest of the wiring that still looks great. Thanks for the troubleshooting. I'm glad to be driving again after finally finding some time to work on it!

[Blue Beard]

When Longhorn Man talks, everyone listens..he has alot of knowledge to pass on...