Tail lights, Parking lights, Dash lights not working - fuse keeps blowing

90

Asked by Ryan Nov 09, 2017 at 10:16 AM about the 2001 Ford F-150 Lariat Extended Cab SB

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

Just to give a little information to explain the history as to when this all started, I had my new stereo head unit installed. Not long after this, my dash lights went out. I tried replacing the Fuse 8(5A) several times, and it would work for a couple weeks and then blow. Now it blows as soon as it is plugged in. I changed out my brake lights/tail lights/turning signal bulbs (same bulb) to brand new LED bulbs. They worked for a couple weeks, and then the tail lights cut off (brake and turning signal lights still work). Now that this has happened, my head lights don’t turn off with the headlamp switch, so I have to turn it to the off position, and use the key knob; hit lock button twice until the horn honks and then the lights go out, or pull fuse from PDB, or unplug the battery power. Otherwise they will stay on all day/night. No longer have chime/ding when lights are on and drivers side door is open either.

Fuses that keep blowing:
Power Distribution Box – Fuse 6 (15A)
Passenger Compartment Fuse Panel – Fuse 8 (5A)

I've researched on google and everything and I know this is kind of a common problem, but couldn't get an exact answer as to what it could be. I know it could be the headlamp relay, park lamp relay, headlamp switch, or even the Daytime Running Lamps relay. I'm wondering though if the LED taillights didn't cause this to happen since they don't use as much power as normal bulbs, and therefore it sent more power back to the fuse. So if that is the problem, could I increase the amps on PDB F6 (15A) up to 20A and be safe?

Does anyone have any other ideas or suggestions on what to check?

Complete Fuse & Relay Diagram for 2001 Ford F150:
http://fusesdiagram.com/ford/fuse-box-diagram-ford-f150-1997-2003.html

7 Answers
465

David answered 6 years ago

Sounds like someone exposed the light wires while they installed the stereo system very easy to do sometimes hard to find, yes you can go to bigger fuse if it works awhile then blows you'll need to pull the stereo out n look to see what's exposed and grounding out or staying hot

2 people found this helpful.
Mark helpful
73,310

OJ answered 6 years ago

DO NOT USE A LARGER FUSE! Manufacturers, in a cost saving move, use lighter gauge wire to supply power to various accessories in your vehicle. While a larger fuse will work, you run the chance of overheating the wire supplying the device and causing a fire.

Mark helpful
73,310

OJ answered 6 years ago

If everything went South after the stereo was installed, suspect a problem there. Disconnect the stereo, replace the fuse with a proper size one, then see if everything works properly. Is the stereo pulling more amperage than the old one? If so, the problem may be there.

1 people found this helpful.
Mark helpful
90

Ryan answered 6 years ago

bigdave27 - I'm going to pull the stereo out tonight and check to see if any wires are damaged. I have looked under the dash and nothing seems to be wrong there. OJ - I replaced Fuse 6 (15A) in the Power Distribution Box to a 25(A) yesterday evening. The tail-lights, parking lights, tag lights are working now. However the dash lights still don't work. I don't currently have a fuse in Fuse 8(5a) under the steering column though, because it blows it every time I put one in. I'm not sure if it is pulling more amperage than the stock radio, but I assume it probably is. How much amperage does the stock radio pull? I'll check the radio information to find out what it pulls today as well.

Mark helpful
73,310

OJ answered 6 years ago

Not a good idea to put the 25A fuse in socket requiring a 15A fuse. What is not working since you have no fuse in # 8.

Mark helpful
90

Ryan answered 6 years ago

Only thing not working right now is the display which is somehow connected to fuse 8 and my radio. I'm pulling the radio out tomorrow to see why it's not working properly and see if I can find any bad wires or hooked up wrong. Plus gonna check the amperage for the new radio.

1 people found this helpful.
Mark helpful
465

David answered 6 years ago

You're doing great man you almost got it figured out. My brother had a CD player/radio in a Honda Civic it did great about a month then it was doing the same as yours between our oldest brother and him n me we made suggestions until it was eventually found and fixed. The only problem is right now I don't remember what the problem was. Good luck keep after it

Mark helpful

Your Answer:

Related Questions

  • Tail lights, Parking lights, Dash lights not working - fuse keeps blowing 7 Answers

    Just to give a little information to explain the history as to when this all started, I had my new stereo head unit installed. Not long after this, my dash lights went out. I tried replacing the Fuse ...

    2001 Ford F-150 Lariat Extended Cab SB

    -

    Maintenance & Repair

  • Tail lights not working 5 Answers

    which fuse controls tail lights on 2015 ford f150

    2015 Ford F-150

    -

    Maintenance & Repair

  • Parking Lights and odometer lights not working. 1 Answer

    I just purchased a 2004 Ford f150 FX4 and my parking lights are not working. Also my odometer light is out. Did some research and have found that light bulb tends to burn out on odometer/compass/...

    2004 Ford F-150 FX4 Ext. Cab 4WD

    -

    Maintenance & Repair

  • Brake, tail lights not working 1 Answer

    I have a 2016 f150 and the tail lights stopped working. The 3rd brake light and tag lights work just no tail lights, brake lights or turn signals. I have checked for a bad fuse but all looked good.

    2016 Ford F-150 XL

    -

    Maintenance & Repair

  • Tail lights and license plate lights not working? 1 Answer

    Have changed tail lights and checked fuse panels don't have any bad fuses.

    2001 Ford F-150 XLT Crew Cab 4WD SB

    -

    Maintenance & Repair

F-150

Looking for a Used F-150 in your area?

CarGurus has 13,399 nationwide F-150 listings starting at $3,000.

Postal Code:

Shortcuts

Search Ford F-150 Questions

CarGurus Experts

  • #1
    OJ
    Reputation
    41,830
  • #2
    Gene Arnett
    Reputation
    15,990
  • #3
    Rowefast
    Reputation
    15,470
View All

Find great deals from top-rated dealers

Search

Related Models For Sale

Used Chevrolet Silverado 1500
201 Great Deals out of 8,235 listings starting at $6,995
Used GMC Sierra 1500
141 Great Deals out of 8,345 listings starting at $5,975
Used Toyota Tundra
29 Great Deals out of 988 listings starting at $10,698
Used Ford F-250 Super Duty
29 Great Deals out of 782 listings starting at $4,290
Used Toyota Tacoma
30 Great Deals out of 723 listings starting at $9,975
Used Dodge RAM 1500
95 listings starting at $5,999
Used Ford Mustang
51 Great Deals out of 1,662 listings starting at $5,977
Used Ford Ranger
19 Great Deals out of 651 listings starting at $8,999
Used Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
29 Great Deals out of 1,717 listings starting at $8,999
Used Toyota 4Runner
27 Great Deals out of 530 listings starting at $7,990
Used Jeep Wrangler
125 Great Deals out of 5,974 listings starting at $8,990
Used Ford Explorer
71 Great Deals out of 2,016 listings starting at $3,333

Content submitted by Users is not endorsed by CarGurus, does not express the opinions of CarGurus, and should not be considered reviewed, screened, or approved by CarGurus. Please refer to CarGurus Terms of Use. Content will be removed if CarGurus becomes aware that it violates our policies.