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Taillights out.

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Old Mar 30, 2011 | 01:30 PM
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From: sicklerville
Default Taillights out.

Hey guys, I have a little issue with my 04 z; I got pulled over a few nights ago because both my taillights were out plus my license plate light. I immediately thought i blew my fuse. I went to pepboys and grabbed the 10a mini fuse and replaced it. I turned the lights on Anndddd....there still out. my luck. What else could be causing this??? thanks guys
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Old Mar 30, 2011 | 02:12 PM
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Could be the tail lamp relay, but according to section LT of the service manual it's built into the IPDM/ER. The parking, license plate and tail lights are covered in one part of section LT.
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Old Mar 30, 2011 | 02:39 PM
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From: Scottsdale/coyote drophouse
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fuse block behind battery in engine compartment.

Not the one by your foot.

i accept paypal for all answers.
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Old Mar 30, 2011 | 02:44 PM
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Originally Posted by bmccann101
fuse block behind battery in engine compartment.

Not the one by your foot.

i accept paypal for all answers.
i replaced that one^^. Could it be that because i have led lights above my license plate, it blew the other two out because each led light needs its own resister? idk how true that it is but thats what i heard.
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Old Mar 30, 2011 | 03:31 PM
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From: Scottsdale/coyote drophouse
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leds in you lic plate lamps wont blow fuses.. the resistor thing has to do with flasher rates on turn signals... and the LED tails that are NON oem have issues w this as well.

lic lamps tho.. nope.

Im pretty sure the best way to make sure is to just pull them all and check them.. i know i have had some seriosuly weird fuses blown over items that had seemingly nothing to do with them.. yet there it was, theres alot of stuff on shared circuits.
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Old Mar 30, 2011 | 08:01 PM
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Im curious about this as well, i have an 05' and changed the 10a fuse behind the battery because it was blown. once i replaced it that one went bad as well. maybe a short somewhere but i have no idea where to begin.
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Old Apr 1, 2011 | 10:10 PM
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I'm having the exact same problem. Upgraded to 06 LED tails, had them for almost a year with no problems. Now my taillights keep going out, however the brake lights still work. Will replace the fuse, only to have it go out every time I turn on the lights.
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Old Apr 2, 2011 | 09:24 AM
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I have this problem too. I did not put LEDs, its still all stock. Just last night parking lights and part interior (seat heater lights, audio control on steering wheel and auto stick -P, N & D) doesn't light up. I checked every fuse under dash and next to battery. All good. Is there a relay switch that can be replaced? Or a 3rd fuse box??
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Old Apr 4, 2011 | 06:27 AM
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From: sicklerville
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NEED Answers!! please help
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Old Apr 4, 2011 | 10:51 AM
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Couple of questions - 1) was the original fuse burnt? and 2) did the new fuse burn out when you turned on the lights?

If the answer to both is yes, you have a short. First place to troubleshoot is checking any thing that was added to the circuit. If nothing, get a few fuses. Try to isolate parts of the circuit (a schematic will help) i.e. - unplug lights or other and retry. If you get to the point where the fuse no longer blows, you know the culprit.

If new fuse didn't blow (question 2) when you turned on the lights, you likely have an open circuit/bad connection/poor ground. Check to see if you have current to the bulbs and work backward to the switch.
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Old Apr 4, 2011 | 08:44 PM
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open up the 3rd fuse box with the black cover next to battery (there's 2 fuse boxes next to battery). It's a 10 amp fuse. Replaced it all everything is working as normal. The cover is a pain to remove and put back tho!!
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