1989 Cadillac STS Parking and headlights stopped working.

PLEE

MEMBER
1989 CADILLAC STS
V8
FWD
AUTOMATIC
80,000 MILES

1. Blew something while removing a broken brake light bulb. Now the parking and side lights no longer work. The brake lights, backup lights, and turn signals function properly. I checked the fuses in the glove box for the parking lamps and even swapped them out. Still no go. Heard there was a fuse link in the wiring harness but don't know where it's located. Also, owner's manual mentions a relay circuit under the passenger side dash but don't know if this is related.

2. I don't know if this is related but both headlamps also do not work. Haven't tried replacing the bulbs yet but I understand they are on a dedicated circuit breaker, so it should be just the bulbs, right? Do the circuit breakers need to be reset?

3 Replies

FACTORYJACK

MECHANIC
4,159 POSTS

Circuit breakers are self resetting, and are usually not in control of lights. If you have a test light, check fuse 19(park lamps) for power. If it has no light, check fuse 15(tail lamps) for open. On the headlamps, I would try plugging in a known good light, if you have one. Was there perhaps one blown, and maybe the other followed suit?

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Friday, January 8th, 2010 AT 1:41 AM

PLEE

MEMBER
2 POSTS

In my original request I had already checked the fuses. I even swapped them around without positive results. So parking lights are still out. You clarified whether the circuit breakers needed resetting and I am still working on that issue. Having both headlights go out (not simultaneously but within two weeks of each other) is mighty suspicious. But I will try replacing one to see the results.

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Friday, January 8th, 2010 AT 2:34 PM

FACTORYJACK

MECHANIC
4,159 POSTS

The circuit breakers in an automobile are self resetting. There are no circuit breakers in most circuits on your vehicle. There maybe two for the power seats. I also said to check for power at and across them fuses, that will tell you if it is a loss of power to the fuses, or after. If you lost one headlight, and then the other, I am almost certain you just have some bulbs out. I also don't show a fusible link in the circuits, in the schematic that I am referencing.

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Friday, January 8th, 2010 AT 2:53 PM