2004 Kia Rio headlights failure

2004 KIA RIO
1.6L • 4 CYL • FWD • MANUAL
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JUMPDOGBARK
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Both headlights not working high and low. Not blown. Marker lights are working. I have changed the fuses which keep blowing. Changed the relay. Haven't found any frayed or shorted wires. They work for maybe a mile then fail. Any ideas?
Dec 7, 2014 at 10:38 AM
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WRENCHTECH
  • ASE Certified Mechanic
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  • ASE Certified Mechanic
There is an overload or short somewhere in the circuit that has to be found. You need to disconnect things in the circuit until you can stop it from blowing.
Dec 7, 2014 at 12:37 PM
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JUMPDOGBARK
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Tried to find a short that way and was unsuccessful. I took apart the headlights completely, disconnected everything and replaced the fuses. Put everything back together and there was not a specific connection that triggered the fuse blowing. I also checked the wiring and no short registered.
So could there be another cause?
Dec 7, 2014 at 1:27 PM
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WRENCHTECH
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Anything on that fuse circuit can short it out. The headlamp relay and switch are 2 other components on the headlamp circuit plus anything else that fuse happens to power.
Dec 7, 2014 at 1:36 PM
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JUMPDOGBARK
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The only thing I have not tried changing out is the switch. I may be back if that doesn't work. Thanks for your help Wrenchtech.
Dec 7, 2014 at 2:36 PM
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WRENCHTECH
  • ASE Certified Mechanic
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I'm not advising you to change any parts. That's not how you diagnose overloads.
Dec 7, 2014 at 2:39 PM
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