Tracing Electrical Problems.

[SGGilmo]

Ok. Here's the deal guys. When I got the car the radio, Rear Defrost, cooling fans, cigarette lighter, interior lights, and clock. didn't work.

Now I've got the Rear Defrost working and the Cooling Fans, and Radio. But I still have no cigarette lighter, interior lights, or clock. I know why but tracking the problem is just a pain in the ass so far. They don't work because there is no fuse. But there is no fuse because the second I put one in, It blows. It's supposed to be a 15a and it will blow a 20a instantly. 25a will hold but i don't want an electrical fire.

Now the other problem is. When I started tracking this down the other day I pretty much tore the whole dash apart looking for burnt or melted wires grounding out. I didn't have enough time to finish so I put everything back together and now I have no taillights, License Plate lights, or Gauge Cluster Lights. Again I found the issue but tracing it is a pain. In this case the fuse is fine but the socket for the fuse isn't getting any power to it. So I'm thinking I pulled something out of place when I was removing the dash fuse box.

So my question is. Does anyone know where these two fuses run inside the fuse box? As in, Which plugs plug into the under dash fuse box that feed to these two fuses ( numbers 14(15a) and 11(15a) ) If so that would be great knowledge to have to help me trace down these two problems.

 

[mirrorimg]

Sorry, I dont have any knowledge of G2 fuse boxes

 

[SGGilmo]

well after finishing my search through the service manual i found the answer. i wish that thing was bookmarked lol. anywho. ill leave this thread up and add some information as i go for anyone else with this problem down the road since it seems to not be a fairly knowledgeable area. if its not raining like it is now that is

 

[SGGilmo]

ok in need of help again. i found whats shorting out fuse #14.(cigarette lighter, interior lights, clock) its ground G521 located on the rear pannel right below the trunk latch.

here's where it gets strange. if i disconnect that ground. I can put a fuse back in the slot and i get my cigarette lighter, interior lights, clock back. but in doing so i have two other problems. both turn signals on the dash are always on and the fuel pump wont turn on. if i reconnect the ground i get the fuel pump back and the lights go away but then the fuse pops again.

soo. anyone got any ideas. the service manual just says that fuse is for "body ground via rear harness"

 

[SGGilmo]

oh. i forgot to mention. for some odd reason the ground (g521) is reading 3.8v as well.

 

[SGGilmo]

(NOTE: once i'm finished with these issues ill edit my first post and make it one long troubleshoot for others to look through.)

Ok from looking at the wiring diagrams it would appear that g521 is for:
the fuel gauge sending unit
the fuel pump (which explains the fuel pump not working when i disconnect it)
left and right taillight assembly
power antenna motor
driver's seat belt switch (without auto shoulder seat belt)
left and right license plate lights
rear window wiper motor
and high mount brake light

it also works in conjunction with ground g601 and all the wiring is within either the rear wire harness, fuel tank sub harness, license plate sub harness, or hatch wire harness.

here's some wiring diagrams to help anyone else who is trying to fix this issue.

 

[SGGilmo]

anyone have any insight into this? i have traced both wires all the way back and they check out fine. i dont get it. where is the 4.2 volts coming from and why is this linked to the #14 fuse?

 

[SGGilmo]

Now the other problem is. When I started tracking this down the other day I pretty much tore the whole dash apart looking for burnt or melted wires grounding out. I didn't have enough time to finish so I put everything back together and now I have no taillights, License Plate lights, or Gauge Cluster Lights. Again I found the issue but tracing it is a pain. In this case the fuse is fine but the socket for the fuse isn't getting any power to it. So I'm thinking I pulled something out of place when I was removing the dash fuse box.

ok so ive got this problem "fixed" if you can call it that. after many hours of chasing grounds and wires all over the place it turns out the fuse box is the problem. for some odd reason if i pull the taillight fuse out half way then all my lights work again and will continue to if i push it back in all the way. but if i turn my lights off and then back on then they dont work again. but if i leave the fuse half way out then the lights work fine when i turn them off and on.

its very strange but at least i wont get pulled over anymore lol.

ill have to snag another fuse box next time im at the junkyard along with all the plugs that go to it. if im replacing the thing i might as well extend the wires and move it to a easier to get to place like i was going to do with the civic.