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01-02-2012, 09:11 AM
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The Dude Abides
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Join Date: Dec 2011
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tail light fuse blowing
My tail light fuse keeps blowing (the one in the engine compartment). I'm guessing there's a short somewhere but cant seem to track it down. Is this a common problem with an easy fix?
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2001 Ford Ranger 4.0 XLT 4x4 extended cab
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01-02-2012, 09:39 AM
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Blinded by the light
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Join Date: Sep 2009
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If you have a trailer light harness in the back, see if it is corroded.
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01-02-2012, 10:03 AM
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The Dude Abides
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Re: tail light fuse blowing
Don't have one but the wiring to one of my fog lights is looking a little rough. I'll check it out. Thanks!
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2001 Ford Ranger 4.0 XLT 4x4 extended cab
No mods yet but they're coming...
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01-02-2012, 12:35 PM
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The Dude Abides
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Re: tail light fuse blowing
Tracked it down to the dimmer switch. Turn it to med high or on and it blows the fuse. Anyone else ever have this problem?
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Holly crap!!!!! 109 bucks for a new switch. Thinking I'm going to red neck engineer it!
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2001 Ford Ranger 4.0 XLT 4x4 extended cab
No mods yet but they're coming...
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01-02-2012, 12:39 PM
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Re: tail light fuse blowing
go get a new switch from the junkyard man
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Ford Ranger Edge Supercab, 2004 3.0 Auto, 2WD, 4.10 Axle 31x10.5x15 BF Goodrich All Terrain T/A KO's
My Truck Is My Mountain Bike's Ride!
Class III hitch, Rhino Bedliner, Almost Maxed T-Bar Crank, Tuff Country Add A Leaf, Custom Low Anchor Points, OEM ('99) Tow Hooks, Pro Comp Offroad Lights , Mustang Dome Light, Clear Corners, Slim Toolbox, Blinker Mod,Cargo Brake Light Mod,Expo Lighted Visors, Ultra Silverstar heads/fogs, Fog/high mod, Reverse/switched lights, Bike Fork Mounts
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01-02-2012, 12:46 PM
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SBF Ranger
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Re: tail light fuse blowing
Quote:
Originally Posted by HazardousRanger
go get a new switch from the junkyard man
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x2, I don't think the dimmer switch is easily rigged because of a floating ground system
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2000 Ford Explorer 5.0L
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01-02-2012, 12:58 PM
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Science!
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Re: tail light fuse blowing
I also say you should get one from a salvage yard. shouldn't be very expensive at all.
Regards,
Wily
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01-02-2012, 06:41 PM
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Re: tail light fuse blowing
The salvage yards out here are somewhat lacking... I'm thinking it may not be the switch, or maybe it is, I don't know. I have it in now and as long as I keep it half way down the fuse doesn't blow. The dash lights however do not work. The idiot lights are on but gauge lights and heater/ac light not so much.
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2001 Ford Ranger 4.0 XLT 4x4 extended cab
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01-02-2012, 06:42 PM
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Re: tail light fuse blowing
wtf are the idiot lights?
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Ford Ranger Edge Supercab, 2004 3.0 Auto, 2WD, 4.10 Axle 31x10.5x15 BF Goodrich All Terrain T/A KO's
My Truck Is My Mountain Bike's Ride!
Class III hitch, Rhino Bedliner, Almost Maxed T-Bar Crank, Tuff Country Add A Leaf, Custom Low Anchor Points, OEM ('99) Tow Hooks, Pro Comp Offroad Lights , Mustang Dome Light, Clear Corners, Slim Toolbox, Blinker Mod,Cargo Brake Light Mod,Expo Lighted Visors, Ultra Silverstar heads/fogs, Fog/high mod, Reverse/switched lights, Bike Fork Mounts
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01-02-2012, 06:43 PM
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ford dealer parts guy
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Re: tail light fuse blowing
Quote:
Originally Posted by HazardousRanger
wtf are the idiot lights?
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check engine, check guage, charging system...those lol
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01-02-2012, 07:34 PM
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Blinded by the light
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Re: tail light fuse blowing
Well it sounds to me like it could be the dimmer switch or it could be a problem in the cluster or stereo backlighting. It's a 50/50 shot. Increasing the dimmer increases the current draw and a problem on the circuit or the switch would manifest itself exactly the same. You might want to try bypassing the dimmer all together and see if it pops the fuse.
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01-03-2012, 08:42 PM
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The Dude Abides
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Re: tail light fuse blowing
I used a jumper wire to mimic the switch being on high and the fuse blew. Does this tell me its not the switch? Maybe I just jumped it wrong. Anyone know where I can get a wiring diagram?
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2001 Ford Ranger 4.0 XLT 4x4 extended cab
No mods yet but they're coming...
Last edited by Willhe3rd; 01-03-2012 at 08:48 PM.
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01-04-2012, 06:07 AM
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Blinded by the light
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Re: tail light fuse blowing
If the switch was totally disconnected when you did this, it tells me the problem is in the cluster or stereo backlighting.
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01-04-2012, 05:49 PM
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Re: tail light fuse blowing
Quote:
Originally Posted by FireRanger
If the switch was totally disconnected when you did this, it tells me the problem is in the cluster or stereo backlighting.
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The switch was out when I did that. I have an after market stereo (using original harness) I'm pretty sure its all working correctly. I did have the cluster out and when I put it back in it worked fine for a day or so. I pulled it today and there is no obvious sign of bare wires or anything like that. I have a multimeter but am unsure what to test or how. I miss my dash lights!
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2001 Ford Ranger 4.0 XLT 4x4 extended cab
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01-04-2012, 07:28 PM
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Blinded by the light
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Re: tail light fuse blowing
Well, I would start by disconnecting the backlighting wire from the aftermarket stereo and see if the problem goes away. Some aftermarket stereos do not use this wire anyway. If yours does use it, just disconnect it.
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