installed a stereo but blew a fuse going to the lights on my dash board gauges (speedometer, gas gauge, rpm, etc).
as i was installing a stereo i may have short-circuited/blown a fuse because the light on my dash board gauges (speedometer, gas gauge, rpm, etc) do no light up anymore. i would like to know which fuse would be blown or how i would go about fixing it. now i heard fuses can be your friend but I'm pretty sure my dashboard fuse runs through my tail lights so if those aren't working i don't wanting to be driving my vehicle and would therefore like a fix asap. there is a fuse box in the engine compartment and one by the brakes.
My car has 182782 miles.
My car has an automatic trans
Experienced mechanics share their insights in answering this question :
The best thing to do is check all the fuses. It is entirely possible you have blown more than one fuse as well some fuses supply power to other fuses. I rarely look up the location of a fuse in an information system as this sort of information has a high rate of inaccuracy. Most vehicles will have a panel that labels each fuse anyhow. This will always be far more accurate. If you find any blown fuses, no matter what they power, replace them.
The best way to test a fuse is with a test light. This will enable you to check them all quickly. Spade style fuses have metal exposed on the back side that you can quickly test them without removing them one at a time.
Often times, fuses will power multiple systems. If you suspect the tail lights are not working, simply test them. If you should replace the fuses and it blows again, disconnect the stereo and see if the problem persists. Definitely double check the supplied wiring diagram with the stereo and I strongly suggest getting a hold of a factory diagram for your car so you can make sure you are indeed connecting to the correct circuits.
If you should need further assistance, I recommend having an expert inspect the electrical system for you in order to pinpoint the right fix.
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It happens if the fuse used is lower than the rating for the device. In other words, if the system is rated for 16 amps and an 8-amp fuse is used, it would eventually blow because the current load exceeds 8 amps. Original fuses in a car are designed for a specific maximum current.
Most modern vehicles have a fuse box located under the hood and another under the dashboard. The fuses for your instrument panel lights and the gauge cluster should be located under the dashboard or behind a panel near the driver`s side door.
The instrument cluster fuse, also known as the dashboard fuse, is responsible for powering the dashboard gauges and displays. If this fuse is blown or damaged, it can cause the gauges and displays to stop working or function improperly.
In most cases, an amplifier will blow fuses due to internal damage caused by the way it was installed. Many times, an amplifier won`t show signs of improper installation until it`s too late, and blowing fuses indicates that damage has been done.
Overloaded circuits, short circuits and ground faults are all legitimate reasons why your fuses blow on a regular basis or causes for your fuse box to trip out. Other causes could be a result or ageing or faulty wiring as well as power surges.
If all the gauges in a car suddenly stop working, it`s typically due to a broken fuse or faulty wiring. To start troubleshooting, you`ll need to locate the fuse associated with the instrument cluster. Once you`ve identified the fuse, you can inspect it to determine if it has blown or needs to be replaced.
A blown car fuse will usually be caused by too much electrical current flowing through a circuit. This will interfere with many different functions of your vehicle. For example, many of your interior and exterior lights will no longer function properly. The radio and other devices you use will also no longer work.
All car radios have at least one fuse that protects it from power surges coming from somewhere else in the vehicle. The first thing you should do when your radio stops working is check its fuses and replace any that have blown.
Cartridge fuses are used in electrical appliances like car stereos. This type of fuse consist of consists of a glass tube T having a thin fuse wire sealed inside it. The glass tube has two metal caps at its two ends.
In general nothing in your car`s drive train requires fused connections to work, so your engine will still run, but the ignition and charging systems still have fuses, so the car may not start or the battery may drain, preventing you from starting the car again once you turn it off.
Relevant Questions and Answers :
the most relevant questions and answers related to your specific issue
installed a stereo but blew a fuse going to the lights on my dash board gauges (speedometer, gas gauge, rpm, etc).
ANSWER : The best thing to do is check all the fuses. It is entirely possible you have blown more than one fuse as well some fuses supply power to other fuses. I rarely look up the location of a fuse in an information system as this sort of information has a high rate of inaccuracy. Most vehicles will have a panel that labels each fuse anyhow. This will always be far more accurate. If you find any blown fuses, no matter what they power, replace them.
The best way to test a fuse is with a test light. This will enable you to check them all quickly. Spade style fuses have metal exposed on the back side that you can quickly test them without removing them one at a time.
Often times, fuses will power multiple systems. If you suspect the tail lights are not working, simply test them. If you should replace the fuses and it blows again, disconnect the stereo and see if the problem persists. Definitely double check the supplied wiring diagram with the stereo and I strongly suggest getting a hold of a factory diagram for your car so you can make sure you are indeed connecting to the correct circuits.
If you should need further assistance, I recommend having an expert inspect the electrical system for you in order to pinpoint the right fix.
the lights on my dash board do not work and my gas gauge always says its empty with the gas light on even though i fill up my tank
ANSWER : Hi. It sounds like your instrument panel cluster or IPC needs to be rebuilt or replaced. Over time, the bulbs eventually burn out as do the bulbs in your lights at home. The gauge’s movement is controlled by an electronic stepper motor that receives input from the sensors. More often than not, the signals are good, but the stepper motor no longer moves. This can be checked with the use of a high end scan tool that has functional testing of each gauge within the IPC. If the needle doesn’t move when commanded, then the stepper motor is bad. Consequently, if the needles don’t move when commanded, the sensor or wiring is bad.
I suggest having a qualified technician, such as one from YourMechanic, inspect the electrical components in your vehicle to see what is occurring.
My dash board don’t work my front light work when I change my light into high beam and my back window won’t go down
ANSWER : As unfortunate as it is, your vehicle would be considered flood damaged. Diagnosing electrical problems in a flood damaged vehicle is nearly impossible. This would take many hours or even days to determine which wiring harnesses and circuits have been affected. Then nearly all of the wiring under the dash would likely require replacement as well as many sensors and switches. On a BMW vehicle, the amount of wires and switches are likely more than that of a lower end vehicle. Due to the inefficiency in cost, you would likely be able to purchase another BMW like yours for less than what it would cost to fix your car. Many insurance companies would consider this type of damage to total out the vehicle unfortuantely.
Gas gauge isn’t working. Sometimes the speedometer and the temperature gauge doesn’t work. Limited lights around gauges and radio.
ANSWER : Hi there. The dashboard lights are burned out in the dash and the dimmer switch could be worn causing the lights to be weak. The gauges that seldom fail to work is most likely a loose wire in the dash panel. The fuel gauge that is not going to E when shutting off the car has a damaged rheostat within the sending unit. The sending unit is in the fuel tank attached to the fuel pump. If you need further assistance with your gauges not working, then seek out a professional, such as one from Your Mechanic, to help you.
First, the fuse 19 keeps blowing. When I hit the brake pedal my dash lights up. The third brake light acts like a running light.
ANSWER : Hi there. Check the wiring on the vehicle to the tail and brake lights. There is a cross short that is causing the lights to blow the fuses and make the tail lights brighter than normal. If you need further assistance with your electrical issues, then seek out a professional, such as one from Your Mechanic, to help you.
No dash lights, back right tail light is out, no parking lights. Brake lights work though as does head lights.
ANSWER : Hi there. In many cases, when you have electrical problems like you’re describing, it’s caused by multiple electrical component failure. It’s likely that a few electrical relays are not working; especially if you have systems that utilize the same components (such as your brake light and tail lights). I would recommend having a professional mobile mechanic come to your location to complete an electrical problems inspection first, so they can pinpoint what is damaged and recommend the right repairs.
No crank problem. turn key nothing happens. dash light fuse and door lock fuse blown. new battery, good connection.
ANSWER : Hello, thank you for writing in. LED headlights are supposed to run a lighter load on the electrical system, and they should not harm fuses or the vehicle when installed properly. Due to the age of the vehicle, you may need to retrofit other parts of the headlight circuit to properly function with the new LEDs. If you have a voltmeter, you need to verify the LED’s ratings compared to what power they are actually pulling from the system. The vehicle has been run with the headlights pulling a certain amount of power, and the reduction in power being pulled may be sending extra power elsewhere, or causing other electrical issues. Consider swapping out to lower amp fuses, and rewiring the entire circuit. For more help with diagnosing the problem, contact our service department to schedule an appointment.
Electrical wiring issue with the dash lights.
ANSWER : Check the lights on the dash and look for the wiring. Follow the wires to where they hook up to and check that component to see if it’s working. Most dash lights are hooked into the light switch and on the terminal for the dimer lights rheostat. If you replaced the light switch, then there is a break between the light switch and the dashboard light. If you need further assistance with the dashboard lights not working, then seek out a professional, such as one from Your Mechanic, to help you.
