Dash lights and rear lights not working

Tiny
TJMAMA96
  • MEMBER
  • 2012 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA
  • 4 CYL
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 71,339 MILES
Where can I tell which fuse is for what. In the fuse box? There is nothing saying what fuse is for the radio, or the tail lights or the instrument cluster.
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Friday, May 27th, 2016 AT 8:14 PM

24 Replies

Tiny
MHPAUTOS
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Hello,

We need to check fuse #23, 10, 14 and 16 in the fuse panel inside the car and under the hood here is a guid to help you with the fuse locations and the wiring diagrams so you can see how the system works below.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-a-car-fuse

Check out the diagrams (Below). Please let us know what you find. We are interested to see what it is.
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Friday, May 27th, 2016 AT 9:47 PM
Tiny
J.STIEG
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  • 352 POSTS
  • 2001 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA
  • 150,000 MILES
Having a problem with the tail lights in the rear driverside.
#23 5a fues keeps blowing.
Also the instrument cluster ilumination lights do not come on.
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Monday, April 13th, 2020 AT 11:13 AM (Merged)
Tiny
KHLOW2008
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If the taillight fuse blows, the instrument cluster illumination would not work. There is a shortin somewhere and if you have any impact damagges to fron ot rear of vehicle check the wirings for shorting to body. Disconnect all taillight bulbs and test if fuse still blows.
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Monday, April 13th, 2020 AT 11:13 AM (Merged)
Tiny
J.STIEG
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Ok I disconnected all main connectors front and back to all lights in every corner of the vehicle. Fues #23 still blowes
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Monday, April 13th, 2020 AT 11:13 AM (Merged)
Tiny
CARADIODOC
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A simple trick to finding a short is to replace the blown fuse with a pair of spade terminals, then use small jumper wires to connect them to a 12 volt light bulb. A brake light bulb works well. When the circuit is live and the short is present, the bulb will be full brightness and hot so be sure it's not laying on the carpet or against a plastic door panel. Now you can unplug electrical connectors and move things around to see what makes the short go away. When it does, the bulb will get dim or go out.
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Monday, April 13th, 2020 AT 11:13 AM (Merged)
Tiny
J.STIEG
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  • 352 POSTS
Is fues #23 a 5a?
Also need diagrams? Got to get this fixed soon. Thanks
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Monday, April 13th, 2020 AT 11:13 AM (Merged)
Tiny
CARADIODOC
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Hope KHLow2008 can help with that. I've never been able to access the wiring diagram section. We do have links here for Mitchell service manuals. I can also send you to AllData if that will help.
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Monday, April 13th, 2020 AT 11:13 AM (Merged)
Tiny
J.STIEG
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Where exactly does #23 go. How many things does #23 power. Need to see some wire routing.
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Monday, April 13th, 2020 AT 11:13 AM (Merged)
Tiny
CARADIODOC
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This link will take you to Mitchell Manuals:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/mitchell1eautorepair-car-repair-manuals

This one will take you to my web site with an ad on top for AllData:

http://randysrepairshop.net/index.html

I have a lot of stuff for troubleshooting electrical problems but nothing specific to your car. Mitchell is less expensive and they have always had really good wiring diagrams. I wish I could get into those sites to get a diagram for you. Hopefully KHLow2008 will be able to when he sees your reply.
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Monday, April 13th, 2020 AT 11:13 AM (Merged)
Tiny
EXOVCDS
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Are you sure the problem is in the back?

Did you check the front left side marker in the bumper?

How's the amber bulb in the front headlight assembly?

Thomas
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Monday, April 13th, 2020 AT 11:13 AM (Merged)
Tiny
EXOVCDS
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Attached image:

- #92 goes to front left side marker
- #115 goes to left tail light
- #98 goes to left park light (front)

Thomas
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Monday, April 13th, 2020 AT 11:13 AM (Merged)
Tiny
EXOVCDS
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Forgot image. Sorry.

Still getting used to new website layout.

Thomas
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Monday, April 13th, 2020 AT 11:13 AM (Merged)
Tiny
J.STIEG
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  • 352 POSTS
Thomas,
can you post that diagram again, only without the red arrows. Thanks
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Monday, April 13th, 2020 AT 11:13 AM (Merged)
Tiny
J.STIEG
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  • 352 POSTS
Never mind, I think they are all GR/SW. Thanks
Once again every thing is unplugged FRONT and BACK Side to side and fues #23 is still blowing.

I will try disconnecting power to cluster to.
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Monday, April 13th, 2020 AT 11:13 AM (Merged)
Tiny
CARADIODOC
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Put the light bulb in there. Why keep on buying fuses? Instead of doing a bunch of stuff, then installing and blowing another fuse, just see what makes the bulb go out. WAY more efficient and less costly.
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Monday, April 13th, 2020 AT 11:13 AM (Merged)
Tiny
J.STIEG
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  • 352 POSTS
The #23 fues ONLY blows when the HEADLIGHT SWITCH is on, but with all lights unplugged in every corner.

I have the test light bulb looped in series on #23, and all lights UNPLUGGED. I now turn the headlight switch on, but TEST LIGHT comes on.

Right now I am trying to get the test light off, with headlight switch on, and of course every light unplugged.

Trying to find a place to unplugg at firewall to see if problem is in the front or back, Any ideas?
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Monday, April 13th, 2020 AT 11:13 AM (Merged)
Tiny
J.STIEG
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There are 10 wires going to the headlight switch. I need to know what they are, and test them for shorts.

If I unplug headlight switch connector the test light on fues #23 goes out.
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Monday, April 13th, 2020 AT 11:13 AM (Merged)
Tiny
KHLOW2008
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See if this diagram is of any help.
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Monday, April 13th, 2020 AT 11:13 AM (Merged)
Tiny
J.STIEG
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Thanks KHLow2008 for the diagrams! I found the problem using the diagrams.
It was a left front small amber running light shorted out.
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Monday, April 13th, 2020 AT 11:13 AM (Merged)
Tiny
KHLOW2008
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Glad to know you have fixed the problem.
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Monday, April 13th, 2020 AT 11:13 AM (Merged)

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