97 Saturn SL2 1.9 Liter: Tail Lights and Dash Lights Out

Tiny
DPGRANGER
  • MEMBER
  • 1997 SATURN
With 109,000 miles:

Recently my dash and tail lights cut out. Today I bought new fuses from NAPA and replaced the single fuse that controls both thinking it was obviously the problem.

I'm not sure if you shouldn't do this but I replaced the fuse with the light switch turned on to make sure it was the right fuse when I replaced it.

The lights briefly flashed and then died. Then trying again they would not light up anymore. I would then put another new fuse in this time with the lights off and once again the lights flashed and then quickly died.

I have already received a ticket for this and need to drive home from work at night and this is a serious safety issue. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Did I blow something while having the lights turned on while replacing the fuse or is it another issue?
Friday, September 7th, 2007 AT 12:28 AM

4 Replies

Tiny
TRJAMES
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
I'm having the same problem with my 120000 mile '98 SL2 and am frantically looking for an answer before daylight savings time ends, right now driving only during the day is putting a damper on my good spirits. I've found out tonight that replacing Fuse 14 labeled PARK in the interior fuse panel may be the answer to our problem. I'll try that out tomorrow and let you know if it works for me.

Any help from anyone else would be highly appreciated.
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Thursday, September 13th, 2007 AT 1:45 AM
Tiny
TRJAMES
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  • 3 POSTS
Sorry, I thought the guy on the other forum was talking about a fuse inside the passenger compartment. Thurns out he meant the one you replaced inside the engine compartment. I've changed that one a few dozen times myself already. I feel stupid now.
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Saturday, September 15th, 2007 AT 1:55 PM
Tiny
TRJAMES
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  • 3 POSTS
The diagnosis here was indeed a short. The short on my 98 SL2 was located inside the fuse box, right below fuse 14. Short (as in not long) piece of the thin orange wire coming from fuse 14 was melted and broken, making only occasional contact, when contact breaks, the fuse shorts again. Mechanic says this was probably originally caused by a bad buld (burned, but still lit up).

As always, YMMV.

Glad to finally have it fixed.
Tom :mrgreen:
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Sunday, September 23rd, 2007 AT 6:56 PM
Tiny
DPGRANGER
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Thanks for the info, I am going to see if that is the situation in my car
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Monday, September 24th, 2007 AT 12:20 AM

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