'06 Town Car: new headlights, and now turn signal and hazards fuses blow instantly...

[JensB]

During my last inspection the headlights were almost too hazy to pass, so I figured I'd get new ones. Settled on these ones here: Headlights Headlamps Left & Right Pair Set NEW for 05-11 Lincoln Town Car 192659078667 | eBay . I checked, immediately after install, that all lights work as intended, including hazards and turn signals.

Now, in the evening, I wanted to go and adjust the headlights (you know, the whole "let's not blind other drivers at night" thing) and all of a sudden I notice my turn signals don't come on anymore. (Turning courtesy lights are fine, low and highbeams are fine, too.) The relais does not click anymore. Same thing when I turn on the hazards.

So I check the fusebox, and, sure enough, fuses 29 (turn signal) and 10 (hazards) are blown. Both are 15 amps. So I replaced them, and they immediately blow again, even with the hazards turned OFF.

What gives? Any ideas?

Best wishes
Jens

 

[bbf2530]

During my last inspection the headlights were almost too hazy to pass, so I figured I'd get new ones. Settled on these ones here: Headlights Headlamps Left & Right Pair Set NEW for 05-11 Lincoln Town Car 192659078667 | eBay . I checked, immediately after install, that all lights work as intended, including hazards and turn signals.

Now, in the evening, I wanted to go and adjust the headlights (you know, the whole "let's not blind other drivers at night" thing) and all of a sudden I notice my turn signals don't come on anymore. (Turning courtesy lights are fine, low and highbeams are fine, too.) The relais does not click anymore. Same thing when I turn on the hazards.

So I check the fusebox, and, sure enough, fuses 29 (turn signal) and 10 (hazards) are blown. Both are 15 amps. So I replaced them, and they immediately blow again, even with the hazards turned OFF.

What gives? Any ideas?

Best wishes
Jens

Hi Jens. Just blind Internet guessing here, so don't count on accuracy: Incorrect specification bulbs, damaged wiring, a damaged connector/connectors, etc.

Did the headlight housing come with new bulbs, or did you swap over the old ones? The housing itself should not affect operation of the bulbs or cause a short, so it is more likely one of the above items.

I am sure others will also jump in to assist.

Give us more information as to exactly what was replaced, keep us updated and good luck.

 

[etinpa]

It almost sounds like the issue is in the car wiring rather than the new lamp assemblies. Doesn't seem logical but...

I'd unplug the new lamp assemblies and see if the fuses blow with the lamp assemblies disconnected. If they do then the car wiring is an issue and the new housings are likely OK. If that's the case, post back and I'll post wiring diagrams to help you.

If the fuses don't blow, I'd remove the turn signal bulbs and cornering lamp bulbs, plug in the assembly with the bulbs out to see if the issue is with the housing.

Then replace the bulbs one at a time and test. That should narrow down exactly what's causing the issue.

 

[JensB]

New headlights came with bulbs installed. After removing both old headlights, I put in one of the new ones. Tested turn signals, low and high beam, and hazards. All OK. Then I put in the other headlight, and then I think I did not check again. So it looks to me (with a few hours of distance) that the second headlight may have an issue (short/incorrectly seated bulb/...). Will investigate tomorrow and share.

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[JensB]

Okay, so I unplugged the headlights entirely. I inserted a new fuse for the hazards, and as soon as I insert it into the fuse box, BOOM, it blows. Turn signal indicator is okay, though. When I try to activate the hazards, nothing happens (no clicking from the relais), and when I want to use a turn signal, also complete silence. I checked the fuse for the turn signals again, though (fuse 29), and it appears to be fine.

What could cause this behavior? Keep in mind that before I replaced the headlights everything worked flawlessly. The only thing I can think of is a short in a cable somewhere, which could have been caused by a faulty headlight. I will remove them from the car and open them up, and check if there is anything wrong inside of them.

Any ideas? Your help is much appreciated!

 

[etinpa]

That is really strange... are you sure the hazards are off when you put the fuse in?

When the hazards are off, the only thing on fuse F10 is a wire to the multi-function switch. That circuit ends there unless the hazards are on.

Wiring diagrams attached for your use.

 

[JensB]

That is really strange... are you sure the hazards are off when you put the fuse in?

When the hazards are off, the only thing on fuse F10 is a wire to the multi-function switch. That circuit ends there unless the hazards are on.

Wiring diagrams attached for your use.

Thank you! I will double check again, happily. But even if there is an issue with the headlights, should this not all go away when I de-attach them? In my last test, the headlights were entirely disconnected, and the fuse for the hazards still blows.

Jens

 

[JensB]

Okay, problem solved, I think. Get this: when unplugging the cable from the existing left headlight, I must have bent a few wires on that connector. There is usually a blue plastic piece that prevents the individual crimp contacts from interconnecting, but the cable on the left didn't come with one. I think this headlight had previously been replaced already. At any rate, I take a closer look, and what do I see? Two of those contacts touching.

So I took some pliers and bent the crimp contacts back into shape, and now it all works. This also explains why the problem continued to exist after disconnecting the headlights.

Sorry for wasting your time, friends, this was a silly thing I should have caught earlier. Regardless, I very much appreciate your help and support.

Best wishes from VA
Jens

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[etinpa]

Glad to hear that you found the issue.

No worry about wasting time... troubleshooting is a process.

Thanks for reporting back on the resolution!