Need troubleshooting help.

[Camop82]

I F*ked up. I don't know who else to ask about this before having to take it to the dealer. When i turn on the headlights (and that stage before the headlights turn on) I am no longer getting any power to side, front, licence plate or tail lights. Turn signals still work, break lights still work. Just not what is supposed to be on when the headlights are. I tried looking into the manual for the fuse but don't know which one it would be. Anyone have any ideas?

Thanks in advance.

[whaap]

I don't know but you can inspect each individual fuse, one at a time, and if one is burned out it will show a burned out gap in the flat metal part.

[kodyo]

^What this guy said. Get a fuse checker and start checking all of the fuses. Or, better yet, open the manual and see what fuse goes where (I assume it tells you in the manual).

[Camop82]

Thanks guys, I had some people on FB make me think about it some more. I had initially looked at a fuse under the steering wheel and it looked fine. Checking it again I realized I was looking at the wrong fuse. There was 1 that was burnt out.

If this happens to anyone else, Side Markers, Running lights, tail lights, license plate lights, the fuse for all those is "TAIL". Under the steering wheel.

Someone else had to remind me there was an extra fuse in the fuse box with the engine, so I used the spare and everything is working again.

[batmobilefrs]

I did this in my protege 5. Maybe its the same problem but did you recently do anything with the electricals like install a new head unit? If so there is a wire that is not typically used in new head units that is used in OEM units its called the dimmer wire if it is in contact with the frame of your car it will instantly and without question blow the fuses for parking lights, tail lights, and dash lights. However in my protege the headlights still worked. After i taped the end of the dimmer wire all was better. It was a diy gone wrong.

[humfrz]

Originally Posted by Camop82

........
Someone else had to remind me there was an extra fuse in the fuse box with the engine, so I used the spare and everything is working again.

Good show ...... now, don't forget to replace the "spare" fuse .... in case you get stuck out in the boonies ....

humfrz

[Camop82]

Originally Posted by batmobilefrs

I did this in my protege 5. Maybe its the same problem but did you recently do anything with the electricals like install a new head unit? If so there is a wire that is not typically used in new head units that is used in OEM units its called the dimmer wire if it is in contact with the frame of your car it will instantly and without question blow the fuses for parking lights, tail lights, and dash lights. However in my protege the headlights still worked. After i taped the end of the dimmer wire all was better. It was a diy gone wrong.

I do not believe it is a "dimmer wire". I'm pretty sure I know what caused the short. So more FYI to everyone out there, when you have LED bulbs, do not twist them in their plastic socket. So yes, this was entirely my fault. When I put in the 2nd LED bulb and side marker, it didn't turn on, so I inspected the bulb. I thought it might have been loose and needed to be screwed in tighter. (DO NOT SCREW IN THE BULB)

The LED bulbs are like xmas bulbs. They have 2 metal prongs that go out of the plastic socket and make a connection with the car. When I twisted the LEDs, the metal prongs touched and completed the connection without going to the LEDs, which is what caused the short. Pretty certain of that.

Thanks for all the help again guys. I put the clear housing and LED bulbs in. Here's how they look. Switch backs next, then Spyder headlights.