I did a search earlier and didn't find the exact answer I was looking for.


Anyway, my headlights are completely operational. The gauge lights have stopped working as well as the running lights and now the tail lights.

• I have checked the 15A Illum fuse.
• I have checked the bulbs (for the exception of the gauges).

I didn't know how to go about looking at the switch or wiring harness for problems.

My drifting events are going to start taking place later at night, so I need these lights working!

 

the switch on the left side of the dash that turns on the headlights/running lights. pull that off and check if its fried. pretty much look at the plug and see if the pinns are black or plastic is melted, if the plug is melted the pins could be touching and grounding out the tail/dash/running lights. happened to mine twice!

 

Bingo! Thanks for the help. My friends got one for me for cheap. So it all works out.

 

Awesome! Glad i could help

 

It seems the dilemma is not over just yet. (Just for the record this is a 1987 S4)

I acquired a new headlight switch from a friend, but I was not able to find a harness just yet. I cleaned all the harnesses behind the gauge cluster cover anyway. I also cleaned up all my tail lamp connections and bulbs. I connected the new switch. The result is still the result is the same...

I did notice something odd. I was just trying some random troubleshooting so I was experimenting with the turn signals. I think I mentioned before, but you can hear the clicking of them, but no light in the gauge cluster. I noticed though, when I stepped on the brake pedal the turn signal clicking would speed up. It was the similar speed that indicates a bulb going out, but this would only happen when the braked pedal was stepped on.

If anyone has any idea what is going on, I would appreciate input.

 

If need be you could check for voltage on the White/Green wire in the headlight harness for constant voltage (no key necessary). If W/G has voltage then jumper this voltage over to the Red/Black wire in the same harness plug and the tails should turn on. Jumper the voltage over to Red/Green (same plug) and the gauge lights and assorted dash lights should turn on. If these items do not work after jumpering the voltage then the headlight harness could be at fault as well.

 

change the harness plug before u install the new switch. otherwise ull melt the solder points on the circuit and have to get another one. the plug being fried like that will get hot and ruin it. replace the plug and prolly ur fuse, its more than likely that it popped it again.

 

Yeah I figured the harness might fry the new switch, I only had it plugged in for a few moments. It doesn't seem that there is any damage to the new switch. The fuse your reffering to the 15A for "ILLUM" ?

 

ya. if the harness is still fried the pins will still arc. meaning they will burn the hell outta whatevers close to it. i ran threw the same problem u have. i replaced switch and harness and it worked ok for me. also the damage will be done to the circuit board on the switch. u cant see it with out cutting away the plastic shielding. trace the blackened pins to the solder points and see if they are melted