JustaRhymez

Hey all!

So I found this forum while trying to figure out how to fix a problem with my 2001 Civic LX (Coupe). Love the forum, and while I hate to start asking a bunch of questions right after signing up, I'd appreciate any help.

The problem:
My car is stuck in Park. I shove something in the hole beside the shifter, so I can get it out of park. My brake lights are also not working. My horn isn't working. Also my #7 (15 amp) fuse keeps blowing immediately after putting a new one in. I've tried putting a bigger amp fuse and even then it still blows it immediately after setting it in.

I've installed a new brake light switch.

'm pretty lost. So if you guys have any suggestions, let me know. Thanks a lot!

ezone

Welcome.

Kinda hard to describe how to chase a short circuit, but at least it's a constant instead or random and intermittent. That should make it somewhat ....less difficult, meaning you might get to know right away if you found the problem or not.

I assume the fuse blows immediately while trying to insert it in the fusebox, you don't need to press the brake pedal to make it blow?
Don't have to honk the horn to make it blow either?

Got a box of fuses?
How about a test light and some lengths of wire?


Wiring diagrams? Search this site for a thread like 'looking for a 7th gen manual look here' and browse the last page for newest links.
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Brake light switch and horn relay are connected to fuse 7 in the engine compartment.....so

remove the horn relay from the fusebox and
disconnect the brake light switch connector
and see if the fuse blows.
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If it still blows then the problem must be somewhere between the fusebox and brake light switch connector.

The circuit runs through the big harnesses that wrap around the engine compartment and go hidden in the dashboard.
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The dash fusebox is between those two items too, so I might locate the 2 harness plugs that contain the circuit in question (connectors J and O, you may need to locate some diagrams) and disconnect one first and check if the fuse still blows, then disconnect the other see if the fuse still blows. This should tell you which side the short would be on.
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Now I'd start looking for anything that might be a place to begin...looking for anything that could have got into a wire harness, such as crash damage or aftermarket electronics that have been installed (remote start, alarm, etc.).
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Test light can be set up to be lit as long as the short to ground is present, and would go out when the short is gone. You can wiggle harnesses and whatnot, and if the light flickers or goes out you know you are getting close to the problem.

CraigW

iTrader: (1)

^^ Excellent advice.

Stop using larger fuses.....your wiring harness is the next fuseable link.

alex_nyc

is it possible you replaced a brake light bulb or other bulb with the incorrect one?

also, disconnect the new switch and see if the fuse blows

CraigW

iTrader: (1)

If this was the case it would blow when the brake was pressed, not instantly.

Edit: Here is a list. Horn, Brake lights, Brake Signals to ABS Control, Cruise system, ECM/PCM & MICU.

JustaRhymez

I have removed the horn relay from the fusebox and
disconnected the brake light switch connector
and the fuse still blows instantly. I'm having trouble finding the diagrams so I can locate the harness plugs.

CraigW

iTrader: (1)

^^^ PM with an email address.

JustaRhymez

I sent you a message

CraigW

iTrader: (1)

Did you get the 2 small files sent ??