Electrical, Wiring, and In Car Entertainment Electrical, Wiring and In Car Entertainment questions belong here.

Tail lights not working(shorted out)

Old Sep 10, 2014
  #1  
jerzstyle00's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered!!
 
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Rep Power: 0
jerzstyle00 is an unknown quantity at this point
Tail lights not working(shorted out)

My tail lights on 2005 honda civic hybrid seem like they have a short somewhere. I found the 15 amp fuse that's under the hood. But blows instantly once new one installed. I disconnected all bulbs in rear from connectors but fuse still pops instantly. Any suggestions?
Also if anyone can provide a layout/ diagram for tail lights on my vehicle would be helpful. Not sure if I got correct lay out.
Reply
Old Sep 11, 2014
  #2  
CraigW's Avatar
35+ Years Driving Japanese Autos
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 4,904
Likes: 14
Rep Power: 309
CraigW is a glorious beacon of lightCraigW is a glorious beacon of lightCraigW is a glorious beacon of lightCraigW is a glorious beacon of lightCraigW is a glorious beacon of lightCraigW is a glorious beacon of lightCraigW is a glorious beacon of light
Re: Tail lights not working(shorted out)

Which fuse ?? What name ?

Blows when lights are switched on ? Or when fuse installed ??
Reply
Old Sep 11, 2014
  #3  
jerzstyle00's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered!!
 
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Rep Power: 0
jerzstyle00 is an unknown quantity at this point
Re: Tail lights not working(shorted out)

Originally Posted by CraigW
Which fuse ?? What name ?

Blows when lights are switched on ? Or when fuse installed ??
Fuse blows only when I turn on head light switch.
The fuse name marked is '#3 small light lanternes 10a '.
Ps...I have attached a photo of fuse box underhood hopefully it worked.
Attached Thumbnails Click image for larger version

Name:	image.jpg
Views:	2010
Size:	74.9 KB
ID:	87052  
Reply
Old Sep 11, 2014
  #4  
CraigW's Avatar
35+ Years Driving Japanese Autos
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 4,904
Likes: 14
Rep Power: 309
CraigW is a glorious beacon of lightCraigW is a glorious beacon of lightCraigW is a glorious beacon of lightCraigW is a glorious beacon of lightCraigW is a glorious beacon of lightCraigW is a glorious beacon of lightCraigW is a glorious beacon of light
Re: Tail lights not working(shorted out)

The fuse is supposed to be 10A please note. Was it a 15 when you found it blown ?

The fuse protects the switched portion of the taillight relay contacts.

That line branches to the front markers, the rear for tail and license and the audio unit and circuit for dimmable dash bulbs.

Has any major work been done, or any modifications ???
Attached Files
File Type: pdf
va188894.pdf (46.8 KB, 375 views)
File Type: pdf
va188895.pdf (27.0 KB, 227 views)
Reply
Old Sep 12, 2014
  #5  
jerzstyle00's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered!!
 
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Rep Power: 0
jerzstyle00 is an unknown quantity at this point
Re: Tail lights not working(shorted out)

Originally Posted by CraigW
The fuse is supposed to be 10A please note. Was it a 15 when you found it blown ?

The fuse protects the switched portion of the taillight relay contacts.

That line branches to the front markers, the rear for tail and license and the audio unit and circuit for dimmable dash bulbs.

Has any major work been done, or any modifications ???

We'll I just recently purchased vehicle as previous owner never mentioned lights issue. So not exactly sure what was replaced and what not.

But now that I have a layout drawing...can anyone guide me on how to attack this? What steps do I start with ?
Reply
Old Sep 12, 2014
  #6  
CraigW's Avatar
35+ Years Driving Japanese Autos
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 4,904
Likes: 14
Rep Power: 309
CraigW is a glorious beacon of lightCraigW is a glorious beacon of lightCraigW is a glorious beacon of lightCraigW is a glorious beacon of lightCraigW is a glorious beacon of lightCraigW is a glorious beacon of lightCraigW is a glorious beacon of light
Re: Tail lights not working(shorted out)

Own an DMM meter or a 12V test light ??

A test light across the empty fuse slot will light constant (when parking light switch is on) as long as the short is present. Don't mangle the fuse holder clip.

If you could locate the harness going to rear you could try to isolate if front or rear. Under the rear seat maybe ??

Being a hybrid could add to the fun.
Reply
Old Sep 15, 2014
  #7  
jerzstyle00's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered!!
 
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Rep Power: 0
jerzstyle00 is an unknown quantity at this point
Re: Tail lights not working(shorted out)

Originally Posted by CraigW
Own an DMM meter or a 12V test light ??

A test light across the empty fuse slot will light constant (when parking light switch is on) as long as the short is present. Don't mangle the fuse holder clip.

If you could locate the harness going to rear you could try to isolate if front or rear. Under the rear seat maybe ??

Being a hybrid could add to the fun.
Ok so I ended up finding the harness going to rear. I removed the connector (pic below). But fuse still blows when I turn lights on. Does this mean the short is somewhere between fuse box and detached connector?
Attached Thumbnails Click image for larger version

Name:	image.jpg
Views:	1037
Size:	53.5 KB
ID:	87063  
Reply
Old Sep 15, 2014
  #8  
CraigW's Avatar
35+ Years Driving Japanese Autos
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 4,904
Likes: 14
Rep Power: 309
CraigW is a glorious beacon of lightCraigW is a glorious beacon of lightCraigW is a glorious beacon of lightCraigW is a glorious beacon of lightCraigW is a glorious beacon of lightCraigW is a glorious beacon of lightCraigW is a glorious beacon of light
Re: Tail lights not working(shorted out)

That harness is pretty far to the rear.... but should rule out some though.

Is there a RED/YLW wire in that connector ??
Reply
Old Sep 15, 2014
  #9  
jerzstyle00's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered!!
 
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Rep Power: 0
jerzstyle00 is an unknown quantity at this point
Re: Tail lights not working(shorted out)

Originally Posted by CraigW
That harness is pretty far to the rear.... but should rule out some though.

Is there a RED/YLW wire in that connector ??
I believe there's a red/yellow wire in both connectors. I had difficulty removing that inner connector you see in the previous pic but was thinking it was the outter connector that went to the back. Here's a pic of a different angle of connector showing red/yellow wire. Do I need to remove that inner connector you think to help narrow down short location?
Attached Thumbnails Click image for larger version

Name:	image.jpg
Views:	1243
Size:	52.4 KB
ID:	87064  

Last edited by jerzstyle00; Sep 15, 2014 at 09:19 AM. Reason: Adding pic
Reply
Old Sep 15, 2014
  #10  
CraigW's Avatar
35+ Years Driving Japanese Autos
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 4,904
Likes: 14
Rep Power: 309
CraigW is a glorious beacon of lightCraigW is a glorious beacon of lightCraigW is a glorious beacon of lightCraigW is a glorious beacon of lightCraigW is a glorious beacon of lightCraigW is a glorious beacon of lightCraigW is a glorious beacon of light
Re: Tail lights not working(shorted out)

All automotive connectors use a latch/release.

You will need to work forward, there may be a connector under back seat... but the one you took loose should cover the rear most wiring and sockets.

Only going to get more complex moving forward though.
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Honda Civic Forum
Replies
Last Post
Poopies
Archive - Parts for Sale
3
Apr 20, 2017 11:36 PM
Erndog81
Archive - Parts for Sale
14
Oct 31, 2015 03:01 PM
shaejb15
Electrical, Wiring, and In Car Entertainment
2
Apr 12, 2015 11:38 AM
1028CiViC
Bolt-on Engine Performance
4
Nov 18, 2001 05:02 PM


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

All times are GMT -5. The time now is 04:34 PM.