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Anonymous Posted on Sep 15, 2012

Tracing down a short causing my dash lights and my tail lights to not work after a near lightning strike ?

All was ok until lightning came CLOSE to the car. It seemed to have glowed inside the car, then I seen I had no dash lights, then later found I have no tail lights, however, the blinker and brake lights work fine ! Help !

1 Answer

Arthur

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  • Master 458 Answers
  • Posted on Sep 16, 2012
Arthur
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Joined: Dec 31, 2011
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The running lights and dash lights are on the same circuit.The brake lights and turn signals are on their own circuit.You need to use a 12v test light to see where the circuit is broken,starting at the fuse,then the headlight switch,then the dash harness.(If the headlights work,you at least know the headlight switch is getting power).

5 Related Answers

Anonymous

  • 2 Answers
  • Posted on Nov 16, 2008

SOURCE: Both Tail lights and dash lights are out. Fuse is OK

I had the lights on my dash and tail lights go out on my 1995 Grand Am 3.1 V6. After much investigation, it ended up being that the turn signal switch had gone bad. I got mine at Autozone - $79.99 for one with cruise, $69.99 for one without. SW860 for the non-cruise, SW859 for the cruise version. It is sometimes referred to as a multifunction switch - however, when I called and asked about that, it seemed as though the parts are NOT the same (MFS was much more expensive). Make sure you specify turn signal switch (that also controls the tail lights, headlights, etc).

In order to replace it, you need to remove the cover around the steering column - we couldn't get the lower part of the cover off and subsequently also had to pull the steering wheel (which also meant disabling the air bag), then remove the bad turn signal switch (which also controls the headlights, parking lights, tail lights, etc), pop in a new one, put everything back together (re-enabling the airbag) and then you can enjoy a life of dash lights and tail lights once again.

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Anonymous

  • 1 Answer
  • Posted on Jan 23, 2009

SOURCE: tail lights not working while drive. brake,blinkers work

i have a crown victoria with brake lights no tail lights could you help me?

Anonymous

  • 1 Answer
  • Posted on Nov 05, 2009

SOURCE: No dashboard lights or tail lights but I got Blinkers and brakes

im having the same problem help please

Anonymous

  • 56 Answers
  • Posted on Jan 11, 2010

SOURCE: 1991 lincoln town car - tail light and dash lights not working

These shops must be stupid did not one of them check your Main head light switch?

Ford was silly wihen they designed it Power goes to the head lamp switch, back through to the lights so the switch gets verryyy hot and being a 91 towncar the part is well past its life span to!

You should be able to get a replacement part cheap enough or go to local junk yard if you feel lucky!

Anonymous

  • 395 Answers
  • Posted on Dec 13, 2010

SOURCE: Brake lights work but tail lights won't work with

The Tail lights and Instrument lights are usually on the same circuit so both will go out if the fuse for the circuit blows. Check for a blown fuse for this circuit and replace if out. If fuse continues to fail, check the tail light or side globes for a faulty globe and replace if necessary. Also check for any chafed wires that could be shorting to the body causing the fuse to blow.

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