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Lights Out

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Old Nov 13, 2006 | 09:56 PM
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Default Lights Out

OK, I have a pigtail harness plugged into my tail lights so I have lights when towing my trailer. I also have a set of towing lights to use when towing cars. This past weekend, while towing a VW Beetle body on my trailer, I routed the wire from the towing lights under the Beetle's body. Somewhere along the line, the body bounced and cut into the insulation of the wiring. I think that caused a short in my electrical system, because now I have no dash lights, no fog lights, and no running lights. I checked the fuses and relays and nothing. Is it possibly the light switch? I remember reading here a while back that the OEM light switches of the 1997 vehicles have a bad design.
 
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Old Nov 13, 2006 | 10:06 PM
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Default RE: Lights Out

Do you have headlights ?

I just replaced my DRLM module (required in Canada) as well as the headlight switch. My driving lights were wired into my highbeams, through their own relay and one of the lights shorted out. This short caused the main headlight relay to fry. The headlight relay for my 96 and for your 97 as well I am sure ( I think it was 98 or 99 that they changed it) is located on the headlight switch itself. As luck would have it removing the switch is a very simple process. Simply pull the dash cover clear and undo the 4 screws. If there is any sign of melting at the wiring harness then the switch is likely garbage. Pray that only the switch is junk as it is only 25 bucks, the wiring however is over a hundred. My DRL module was a secondary issue I still have everything working except the daytime lights until my driving lights shorted out.

Hope this helps.
 
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Old Nov 13, 2006 | 10:10 PM
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Default RE: Lights Out

I should have clarified. I have headlights and I have my high beams. My truck is not equipped with Daytime Running Lights.
 
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Old Nov 13, 2006 | 10:11 PM
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Default RE: Lights Out

ok, I guess I wasn't any help then.....

could just be a short in the line somewhere as well.

good luck, sorry I couldn't help.
 
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Old Nov 13, 2006 | 10:32 PM
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Default RE: Lights Out

did you check fuses in both underhood power distribution box and the fusebox in the end of the dash on drivers side. both have fuses.
 
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Old Nov 13, 2006 | 11:17 PM
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Default RE: Lights Out


ORIGINAL: dhvaughan

did you check fuses in both underhood power distribution box and the fusebox in the end of the dash on drivers side. both have fuses.
I have double checked all fuses (under the hood and in the dash) as well as having a friend check the fuses. All check out.
 
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Old Nov 13, 2006 | 11:42 PM
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Default RE: Lights Out

sounds like the switch, since everything that is supposed to be 'on' is not on.
 
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Old Nov 14, 2006 | 05:20 PM
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Default RE: Lights Out

*bump*
 
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