Well, the wagon has now shorted the tailights twice. Blown 2 fuses and Ive been told the same story its a short. its a short. ITS A SHORT!! I understand this, but the wiring is tucked away in the frame through the passenger side of the car. Ive found one set of exposed wires. Electrical taped them up and it still shorted. Its gotta b some wire in the damaged fender but how can i easily get to them?



Note: I got a haynes manual today from my GF's parents. Amazing. But idunno if it explains how to get to these wires with ease.

Pull fender off, unwrap the wiring and go through it meticulously until you find the short sir

This is probably what needs to happen. However, if you can narrow down the circuit to wire color by determining if the short is to ground or to batt + you will get there faster.

You do have some sort of multimeter correct? If not run down to harbor freight and pick up a cheap one for $5. Everyone should have one in their tool bag.

check the sockets...if they are bearnt inside that is probably you culprit. pretty common problem on that car. I'll text you with a price for the sockets

which sockets? I currently dont have a fender on it so check there. Ive been using my GF's dad's tools who has the correct meters but i do need my own. I fear its an open wire in a spot I cant get to. But It has to be in the damaged part thats the only reason there would b a short anyways

Eh, not always. Its an old car. Stuff happens, resistance builds up, moisture, etc. Never assume anything when it comes to your vehicle's electronics.

it's the three sockets in the taillamp

The connections aren't the greatest. But the wireing isnt behind the fender, its behind the quarter panels. Im thinking something in there is contacting something metal when you make a turn or stop, or some sort of moisture. Ill help you look at it again one day this week after work. Ill bring some heat shrink to make sure no moisture gets in there after we fix the "connections".

lets try the sockets. I met up with Jamie when I got my fender and he made a good point.
CJ when your off sometime next week lets hit some junkyards

I'll get you a price on some new ones too. I seem to remember them being pretty inexpensive

What exactly goes bad on them? Is it just corrosion or poor connection? Something that can be fixed with a soldering iron and some time?

^
Solution to most wiring problems.

Thanx jamie.
I can see it being a wiring problem, but with the brakelights being in the same wiring circuit wouldnt it effect that also if there is a short? My reverse lights, brake lights, head lights blinkers they all work. But the taillights r blowing both the fuse under the dash and fuse in the engine bay. I just think more would be effected if it was a wiring issue

Robb: its usually a filthy connector and or an internal short in the connector grounding itself out. you can usually see evedince of the short with the bulbs blowing out and looking burnt on the bottom, but with it blowing fuses I'm now not so sure thats it or not. I'll right more after I pick a brain or two.

Ok Brandon, unplug your tail lamp harness and put new fuses in it and see if it pops the fuse with the harness unplugged. If the fuse pops with the harness unplugged its the harness, and if they don't pop see if it has a trailer hitch harnesson it....

I dont have a hitch but doesnt mean the little old ladie didnt have one lol.
Ill try that in the day time lol. If it isnt, Me and my dad have a plan to get it to work. with a toggle switch, its not exactly perfect but its kinda legal if they dont know

hook all your lights to the toggle and you can go into stealth mode at the flick of the switch lol

I totally would to. If i was a better driver and knew i could ninja my way outta a ticket

Did you ever get this sorted, Brandon?

yup. taillights r fixed. Next up. Ebrake...