[Torque454]

As with all cars, the instrument panel lights come on with the headlights, but are on a different circuit. Last night my dash lights quit working. Tonight I discovered it is a fuse. I replaced the fuse and it instantly blew the fuse again instantly. The dash lights didn't even get a chance to flicker on before the fuse blew.

I don't know what to do now. Is it possible the headlight switch could be doing that? Or do i have to hunt for wires and find a short?

[S10 Racer]

Originally Posted by Torque454

As with all cars, the instrument panel lights come on with the headlights, but are on a different circuit. Last night my dash lights quit working. Tonight I discovered it is a fuse. I replaced the fuse and it instantly blew the fuse again instantly. The dash lights didn't even get a chance to flicker on before the fuse blew.

I don't know what to do now. Is it possible the headlight switch could be doing that? Or do i have to hunt for wires and find a short?

What make/model vehicle?
The dash lights are on the same circuit as the marker (tail) lights. I would look there first.

[T-bucket23]

Originally Posted by Torque454

As with all cars, the instrument panel lights come on with the headlights, but are on a different circuit. Last night my dash lights quit working. Tonight I discovered it is a fuse. I replaced the fuse and it instantly blew the fuse again instantly. The dash lights didn't even get a chance to flicker on before the fuse blew.

I don't know what to do now. Is it possible the headlight switch could be doing that? Or do i have to hunt for wires and find a short?

Do you have an aftermarket radio

[vicrod]

1st determine what other loads are on the fuse in question. Such as glove box light, clock, radio etc.
2nd remove the fuse and connect a test light to the fuse terminals.
The light will be at full brightness as long as the short exists. Turn off anything you can to make the light go to lower brightness. Check the various things that are connected to the fuse in question. When you find the short the light will go to a less than full brightness. Some types of loads, like motors, will not allow this test to work but it usually helps find a short.

vicrod

[Torque454]

The vehicle in question is a 1987 Ford F-150. There is an aftermarket radio but it still works.

Ive only had the truck a matter of days. I am not sure what all runs on this circuit except all the dash lights, including those that illuminate the heat and ac controls. Cant be much, it only takes a 5 amp fuse.

[T-bucket23]

Originally Posted by Torque454

The vehicle in question is a 1987 Ford F-150. There is an aftermarket radio but it still works.

Ive only had the truck a matter of days. I am not sure what all runs on this circuit except all the dash lights, including those that illuminate the heat and ac controls. Cant be much, it only takes a 5 amp fuse.

If not wired correctly the radio can blow the dash light fuse. All modern radios dim with the dash lights. Try disconnecting it. I have seen this more than once.

[Torque454]

I took the truck to the auto electric shop today and he said it was indeed a bare illumination wire for the radio grounding out. I removed the radio before it went to the shop and I didn't see any wires grounding out anywhere but he did find it. So I spent $70 (one hour shop labor) for something I should have been able to find myself, but oh well. He also installed my radio like it should have been, unlike the person who initially installed the radio. So it wasn't too bad of a deal in the end. I wouldn't think twice about taking the truck back to this guy for wiring work.

[EOD Guy]

Good to hear you got it fixed