QuestionQUESTION: Hello, My 2002 Sante Fe keeps blowing fuse for the right side park/tail lights. Brake lights work, headlights work, turn signals work. RHS tail and front parking lamp do not work. Interior lights on instrument cluster do not work. I removed the instrument light dimmer switch, still blows fuse. removed plug for turn signal/headlight stalk and fuse did not blow. Found power out on the plug and jumped it to every terminal on the plug but never got the tails( either side) working (got headlights, turn signals to light up). Vehicle has not been in any accidents or anything like that. Just started this yesterday. Any suggestions on where to go next? could it be the stalk itself? Is this common? Thanx in advance, Tim
ANSWER: Hi, Tim. You've given me great information and I was hoping this, along with a quick view of the schematic would lead me to a small number of potential problems, but this is unfortunately not the case.
The lamp switch provides groud to the tail lamp relay, which in turn provides power to each of the tail lamp fuses. Because we know that the right tail lamp fuse blows, we know that the switch is working properly and that the relay is also working properly. The problem is "downstream" of the right tail lamp fuse.
The list of potential issues causing the fuse to blow is as follows:
1. Right front park lamp bulb/socket shorted.
2. Right front marker lamp bulb/socket shorted.
3. Right rear tail lamp bulb/socket shorted.
4. Ashtray bulb/socket shorted.
5. Lighter/power outlet bulb/socket shorted.
6. Main power window switch illumination shorted.
7. Seat warmer switch (if equipped) illumination shorted.
8. Gearshift illumination shorted.
9. Either sunvisor lamp or wiring shorted.
10. Power wire between the in-dash junction block and any of the above components (or any of the components controlled by the rheostat) shorted to the chassis of the vehicle.
*Note that the bulbs in the interior illuminations controlled by the rheostat cannot be the issue, as the fuse still blows if the rheostat is unplugged. But since the rheostat alters the ground and not the power circuit, it's still possible there is a wiring issue to one of these items.
My advice is to start with the easy items and simply unplug them. I've seen similar problems occur simply because of bad bulbs. I'd start by unplugging the exterior lamps in question and rechecking. If the problem is no longer present, I'd then plug the lamps back in one-by-one and see which one causes the fuse to blow.
Next, I'd remove and unplug the sun visors. Since the visors are rotated during normal movement, this is a common place for shorts to occur.
Last, I'd remove the left front pillar trim and check behind it. This is a notorious area for trim installation to pinch wiring against the body.
If none of the above prove to be the issue, the chances of a wiring issue go way up. At this point, I'd have the tail lamp, courtesy lamp, and illuminations schematics in hand and check the resistances of each of the exit circuits from the in-dash junction block. This will tell you which branch of the circuit has the issue. Depending on the branch, there may be additional points "downstream" in the circuit you can test to see which section of the branch it lies in.
To view the schematics, register for a free account at www.hmaservice.com. The schematics are located in the ETM section, and you'll be interested in circuits powered by fuse 28. I believe the three specific schematics I've mentioned should encompass all circuits powered by this fuse.
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QUESTION: Thank you for such a detailed reply. I have an account with HMA, however I cannot see any of the schematics. I have the adobe flash installed and current. It wont work on any of the 3 computers I have. i don't know if its the site or my stuff. That said, I removed all the bulbs with no change. I checked the sockets and wires I could see on the tail and front marker. I pulled the LHS A-pillar and saw no evidence of rubbing or shorts. the only maintenance done to the vehicle lately was about a month ago I did a timing belt on it., but I cannot see any possible way I could have disturbed a wire harness around that area, and add to the fact that the problem has just started within the last few days. Until i can figure a way to get the schematics and locations of terminals, i am at a standstill. I do thank you for your help. Any other suggestions? thanx, Tim
AnswerNot much for suggestions without schematics. As I see in a later question, you've said you got the schematics to work. To my knowledge, you may need any or all of the following for the schematics:
-- PC (not Mac)
-- Internet Explorer
-- SVG Viewer
-- Flash player
