No taillights, marker lights, park lamps, dash lights

Tiny
SWEETWATER
  • MEMBER
  • 2001 BUICK PARK AVENUE
  • 3.8L
  • V6
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 166,000 MILES
My dad's rig has no taillights, park lamps, dash lights or marker lights. I found a 25 amp fuse blown that was marked Park Lamps. I thought easy I will just replace the fuse and no problem. I replaced the fuse and it blew again as soon as I turned the headlight switch on. The headlights, brake lights, turn signals all work properly but no taillights. I have checked the bulbs and the connections and have found nothing that indicates a short to ground. I have even unhooked the rear lights in the circuit and the front circuits and the fuse still blows. I put a 30 amp fuse in just to see if it would work and it worked for about 30 seconds and then It blew as well. I have done some research and even looked at the light control module circuit board but I could see anything wrong as far as burnt resistors or anything. I also checked the headlight switch but nothing there as well. The headlights come on but the dimmer switch doesn't turn the dash lights on. All of the gauges work I just can't see them at night. I have checked all of the fuse blocks the two under the hood, under the dash, and under the rear seat and everything looks good. Please give me some idea of what I am missing. Thank you.
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Monday, November 25th, 2013 AT 7:33 AM

4 Replies

Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,606 POSTS
Hello,

It sounds like the headlight switch quit working but there are 6 fuses that run the system lets use the wiring diagrams below to see how the system works and which fuses to test here is a guide and fuse location 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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Monday, November 25th, 2013 AT 8:29 AM
Tiny
BOOPERIII
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
Thanks for this post I had this problem and had to get a new headlight switch cost me $89.00. I love this site.
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Thursday, September 5th, 2019 AT 3:46 PM
Tiny
GEORGEIII
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1989 BUICK PARK AVENUE
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 10,098 MILES
Sirs:
The electrical/starting system is fine.
However, the illumination of the electronic dashboard comes and goes. I am guessing this is a poor ground.

The Haynes electrical schematic is not helpful.

No doubt there are multiple grounds, but I have no reasonable starting point.
Can you suggest a 'likely' spot/area to direct my eyes.
I have a full selection of standard tolls and a multimeter.
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Thursday, September 5th, 2019 AT 3:47 PM (Merged)
Tiny
INTERNETMECHANIC
  • MECHANIC
  • 700 POSTS
In the diagram below, digital cluster, connector A, the legend for connector A is to the left, match up the numbers. I'd look at dimmer and illumination circuit first. You might try control + to enlarge, if not readable. If it don't work, let me know, I'll try to enlarge.


https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/512072_park_avenue_digital_cluster_1.jpg

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Thursday, September 5th, 2019 AT 3:47 PM (Merged)

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