Parking lights Fuse blows!, s13 coupe

[b20tuner]

my exterior lights fuse keeps blowing while i drive the car and turn on my lights, the headlights stay on, but the side markers, tail lights and cluster turn off. i change the fuse and have the car sit and idle and i turn on the lights and everything stays on and works fine , BUT its not until i start driving that the fuse blows.
i have done research but cant really narrow it down, could it be a simple ground?

i have seen other threads but they have dumb simple solutions as easy as changing the fuse or changing a burnt bulb
:wtf:

[fliprayzin240sx]

Check your tailights...

[mobmotorsports2002]

If you have a aftermarket stereo wired up in your car check and make sure the dimmer wire isnt wired up. That will cause the fues to blow especialy if you did the wire trick to fix the tcu in your car.

[ka4life87]

I agree, if the dimmer wire on the back of the stereo is grounding out, it will cause a short and blow the fuse. On s13 the cluster lights, dome light, parking lights, and rear hatch light are tied into the same circuit. If you dont have the knowledge on electrical diagnostics it can be a real nightmare, you will have to trace your harnesses with a multimeter to check for shorts to ground, very time consuming and frustrating no one solution for electrical problems :bite:

[b20tuner]

thanks for the feedback guys, i found melted wires in the driver side side marker, and that fixed the blowing of the fuse, but then i found more melting of wires and fixed them up good,, But......

[b20tuner]

now when i drive the car and i apply the brakes the battery gets used up, i have the car idling/running with no lights and its at 12.3v but when i turn on the lights everything dims and the car struggles to stay on, im going to have the battery charged later today, i think thats the problem, i will let you guys know

[Dany]

what fuse r u talking about wherres it loccated?

[jbretz]

the car essential runs off the alternator once started. the battery is mainly used for starting and a voltage source. theres an alt fuse in the engine bay which could cause this issue

[garofalory]

probably the alternator, I had the same problem with mine..sorta. I charged the battery plenty of times, then said fu*k it...and got a new alternator. No more #240problems.

[Dany]

Hey guys i hav a similar problem and i need help! my turn signal lights and brake lights dont turn on! only when i use the turn signal they turn on, same for brake light it only turns on when i brake. and my gauges or off too so basically the only thing on is the headlights when i turn the switch :(

[garofalory]

Hey guys i hav a similar problem and i need help! my turn signal lights and brake lights dont turn on! only when i use the turn signal they turn on, same for brake light it only turns on when i brake. and my gauges or off too so basically the only thing on is the headlights when i turn the switch :(

CHECK FOR A SHORT!! I had the same problem..tail lights and cluster lights were out, they're all for the same fuse. If you installed a radio, it may be your TCU or you wired something wrong. Don't forget to get a ground going! If not, look for shorts everywhere. The previous owner had an alarm system, and just cut it all out...leaving exposed wires. Cleaned those up and I had light at night! haha...don't forget to check the trunk and all lights...as some may have a stray copper wire going somewhere. Hope it helps!

[Dany]

CHECK FOR A SHORT!! I had the same problem..tail lights and cluster lights were out, they're all for the same fuse. If you installed a radio, it may be your TCU or you wired something wrong. Don't forget to get a ground going! If not, look for shorts everywhere. The previous owner had an alarm system, and just cut it all out...leaving exposed wires. Cleaned those up and I had light at night! haha...don't forget to check the trunk and all lights...as some may have a stray copper wire going somewhere. Hope it helps!

Thanx alot bro! I do have a stereo and I never had problems but ima check that out .. And wheres the fuse that is used for all this?.. Tcu?

[b20tuner]

Thanx alot bro! I do have a stereo and I never had problems but ima check that out .. And wheres the fuse that is used for all this?.. Tcu?

the fuses are under the dash, next to the clutch pedal

[Dany]

Ohhh yeaaaaaa lol I can't believe I forgot -_- wata retard.. Thanx man! Ill check it out

[Dany]

it was the fuse!! :D so i think everything works now :) i just gotta wait till night to see if the gauges are on too Thanx guys! i love zilvia!! haha

[d_nice]

this is very helpful..have the issue will check my radio

[Pvillykanack808]

so my tail lights work fine as does my trunk, dome, and glove box lights. my only question is, why doesn't the background lights on my cluster not illuminate?(white) and my clock doesnt work either. still cant figure this out. I checked fuses but no problem there. Tcu looked fine. I ran my radio straight to the battery and the factory wires i left hanging are all cut and taped. any one know what could possibly be my fix. Thanks
\\its a sohc Ka//

[drumnbasslvr]

sometimes the brake bulbs that have two contacts will get hot from use and smoosh together and short out stuff, personal experience as I live in hell dry heat.