I have a 98 Dakota with a lame 2.5, 5 speed, 2 wheel drive... bla bla bla. I just installed a Panasonic stereo in it a couple months ago and now the taillights don't work. I know it's a short to ground. Problem is, how do I find the short to ground? Is it actually in the stereo wiring harness? I don't know why it would be but I don't really know. Has anyone ever had this problem or does anyone know anything this crap? Absolutely anything you can say that might help is greatly appreciated!!! Thanks in advance.

 

I don't think its the stereo...seperate circuit. If your parking lamps and license plate lamp work, my guess is both tail lamp filaments are out.

 

Actually no. It's the taillamps that aren't working. Brake lights work, turn signals work but when i turn the headlights on the taillamps don't come on. I checked the fuse and it was blown. I replaced it and every time I turned on the headlights it blew immediately. I tried to jump up to a 20amp fuse (stock one is 15), that blew as well. I have a 30 in there now and it still blows. That's why I know it's gotta be a short to ground somewhere but my question is where? Do you have any other ideas? Agian, any info is greatly appreciated.

 

Yep, hard ground somewhere. I'd start by having some extra fuses, then remove one of the tail lightbulbs (L or R) then turn lights on. If fuse pops, then take that bulb out and put bulb in on other side. Maybe that way you can tell if it is limited to one side. Also, do you have a trailer hitch and trailer electrical connector? If yes, make sure those wires didn't get buggered up and grounded somehow. Keep us posted on your progress.

 

Sounds like you grounded out the radio dimmer wire.

 

OldDodgeDriver: I tried that and got the same result. Fuse blew both times. I do not have a trailer hitch. Also, RPRacing: I looked into the dimmer but I don't know which wire it is. I have a list that says it should be orng/white but I don't have a wire that color. Got any more ideas or do you know which color wire it would be? Thanks again for your guys' help!

 

the orange/white is the radio side.

The truck side is just orange.

98 Dakota
Constant 12V+ - Red/Blue
Switched 12V+ - Red/White
Ground - Black
Illumination - Black/Yellow
Dimmer - Orange

 

Actually ive had this happen before. I work at Best Buy in the install bay installing radios and gps ect ect.. when you use dimmer wires on your aftermarket harness you NEVER use the dimmer wires they are there so that when you dim your lights or anything your deck does it to, take out the deck and cut off the dimmer they are orange, one with a white line or black line, thats the ground, and thats probably why they are doing that. Its kinda funny though most of the time it just shuts off your interior lights, kinda wierd it does your tail lights and not your headlights.. but diffrent years have diffrent wires. So w.e

 

ok, heres the deal. I took out the stereo and checked for the dimmer wire. I see it but it's actually not even wired to anything at all so I wrapped it majorly with electrical tape along with a bunch of other wires. Now the taillights come on but the stereo doesn;t always work. If I leave the stereo out of the dash with the headlights on, they both work. However, if I put it back in the dash and turn it on, it works but when I go to turn on the headlights, the stereo turns off and the fuse for "pk lmps" blows again leaving the headlights on but the taillights don't work. What the crap is going on? Any more suggestions? I really do appreciate the help from you guys. Thanks so much!!!

 

You must be pinching something when you put it in keep looking around you will find it. Good luck man.