I'll go broke getting advice on the internet.

Still trying to figure out why my dash lights keep blowing the 5 amp fuse. I did more research and was told by a few that it was my headlight switch.

Got a new lifetime warranty HL switch.....that's NOT it. It's still blowing fuses. $20 down the drain.

I was sure some of you guys could help me, but no clear answers here either.

I don't know what to do.

 

Evidence first bro! Lol.did u ever get a chance to go thru that diagram and such? This is a short somewhere, we just need to get an idea of where. Ill pull the diagram when I get home tonight and we can look it over. In the mean time look over the items that go out and see if they coincide like iin the figure I mentiond previously.

Later!

 

Yes I have the diagram but, I guess I'm a dummy cuz I can't make heads or tails of it (not an electrician.)

I looked at the back of the fuse block....saw the orange and tan wire specified in the diagram....looks fine, no arcing signs. No signs of arcing in the plug to the switch.

What is "(right lower reinforcement)" ??? This a ground spot? W/O any ground, there wouldn't be any power at all....right? Well, there's power alright. It's blowing every fuse I put in there.

Where is the "partial splice?"

 

Figure 19

 

so when that fuse blows you lose dash slight. do you loose the cigar lighter lamp, hvac lights, etc? I assume this is what happens but i want to be sure before we continue troubleshooting.

Do you have access to a multimeter? how about a test light? it not these tools can be very helpful in troubleshooting these issues. If you have a harbor freight near by you can get both tools for probably under 10 bux. they won't be quality but they will get the job done.

 

Also,

do you have an aftermarket radio or is it OEM?

And,

Is it the 4A fuse that keeps blowing? or is it like a 20A fuse?

 

Yes, I lose these too. The ash tray light hasn't worked since I've had the truck, but haven't been concerned about it. I use it for a catch-all tray. When I removed the "woodgrain" dash bezel to replace the headlight switch, I noticed a couple of electrical-taped place on the to the ashtray light. Maybe I should check that. The cigar lighter lamp used to work with the rest of the dash lights.

Yes, I have a test light and an analog multi-meter.

It's an OEM (non-Infinity) radio/cassette player.

Yes, it's the 4 amp fuse that keeps blowing.

Thanks issakar.

 

alright this is progress whether it seems that way or not. refer back to the diagram. we can determine that one of the things below that 4a fuse is the cause of the issue. here is the kinda sucky part though. it could be any of the wiring, or anything below that fuse.

It is probably something on an "orange" wire. some kind of short there, perhaps a worn/bare wire touching a metal part. does it blow as soon as you replace the fuse or is it random? if its as soon as it is replaced then you have a constant short. thats "better" as far as troubleshooting goes. lol.

I'd give that electrical taped spot some attention and see what the story is there. it may or may not be related.

hope this helps

 

It only blows when hit the first click (parking lts./dash lts.) on the HL switch.

When I installed the new switch yesterday, the dash lights worked for a split second. When I started to spin the dimmer, I heard the fuse blow.

I'll get out there and look around behind the bezel after this cup of coffee. Thanks again.

 

does your truck have the overhead console? just wondering