1992 Oldsmobile Ciera Dash Lights Out

1992 OLDSMOBILE
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WIGGS
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  • 4 POSTS
Yesterday all the sudden my dashlights and parking lights whent out while driving the dash fuse (5 amp) is fine but when i try to replace the Tail light fuse which was blown it just blows as soon as i turn the headlights on they are on sepeate fuses but blew at the same time which has me confused please help
Dec 5, 2006 at 9:14 AM
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CARUNDELL
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 602 POSTS
[quote:4647d12c5d="wiggs"]Yesterday all the sudden my dashlights and parking lights whent out while driving the dash fuse (5 amp) is fine but when i try to replace the Tail light fuse which was blown it just blows as soon as i turn the headlights on they are on sepeate fuses but blew at the same time which has me confused please help[/quote:4647d12c5d]

Hey wiggs,
I would definitely say there is a short somewhere. Start with checking the rear and front parking light bulbs (especially the "double filament" turn/park/brake light bulbs) as some are prone to melt at the contacts inside the bulb sockets. If all are ok, older gm's headlight switches where prone to fail and short also. Hope this helps!

Chris
Dec 5, 2006 at 9:26 AM
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WIGGS
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  • 4 POSTS
The short was in the dimmer switch for the hell of it i turned it all the way downa and changed the fuse turned the lights on and it was fine so i started to move it up and almost at full brightness the fuse blew so ill just leave it at about 1/2 broght
Dec 5, 2006 at 11:23 AM
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CARUNDELL
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 602 POSTS
[quote:327ff14aee="wiggs"]The short was in the dimmer switch for the hell of it i turned it all the way downa and changed the fuse turned the lights on and it was fine so i started to move it up and almost at full brightness the fuse blew so ill just leave it at about 1/2 broght[/quote:327ff14aee]

you are the man wiggs!!! great diag!! :idea: :D

Chris
Dec 5, 2006 at 11:55 AM
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Suggested Repair

Replace the instrument panel dimmer switch. It shorts as brightness is raised and blows the tail-light fuse; running it at half brightness is only a temporary workaround. If the fuse still blows after replacement, inspect the parking-lamp bulbs and sockets for melted contacts.

Conversation Summary

A 1992 Oldsmobile Ciera lost dash and parking lights while driving. The dash fuse was intact, but the tail-light fuse blew immediately when the headlights were turned on. The expert suspected a short in a double-filament parking bulb socket or the headlight switch. The owner found the dimmer switch was the cause: lights worked at low brightness, but the fuse blew near full brightness. The expert agreed with that diagnosis.

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