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 7 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

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74,260

OJ answered 7 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.

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74,260

OJ answered 7 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.

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90

Ryan answered 7 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.

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74,260

OJ answered 7 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.

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90

Ryan answered 7 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.

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465

David answered 7 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

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