I was driving to work this morning , and the dash lights went out as well as the tail lights and driving lights , where do I start ? but the headlights work

 

Check your fuses in the driver side kick panel. Headlights and taillights are on different circuits.

 

what about dash ? are they on the same fuse ?

 

Taillights, clearance lights, license plate, glove box, instrument panel, all on the TAIL fuse. http://personal.utulsa.edu/~nathan-b.../2powersou.pdf

Gauges are on a different fuse, so if your gauges are working I would start with the fuse.

Fuses, or course, are not a maintenance item. If the fuse blew, you have a problem somewhere.

 

yeah i know , I have to start somewhere , its just kind of weird , everything was working fine up till the time they went out , any ideas on where to start

 

First, DID the fuse blow?

Finding the short won't be easy; the correct resistance for 15amps at 12v is less than 1 ohm, and most multimeters have a hard time reading that low. But the place I would look first is that trailer hookup dangling off the back. If you hit something and shorted a wire, that would do it. Next, I'd take the taillights apart and look for damage in the sockets. It's a harsh environment back there. I'd even try unplugging the taillights and marker lights, then turning on the taillight switch. If that DOESN'T blow the fuse, you have a place to start.

Good luck!

 

checked all bulbs , the small bulb in the tail light was loose , replaced fuse , all is good now , all sockets looked nice and clean , all the wires looked good as well

 

Agree with scope103.
However, scope103, it could be my computer but I could not view your schematic.

AND? Problem solved?

Does the taillight relay click when you try to turn taillights on?
Checked for voltage at fuse?

Next to our senses, an important and inexpensive tool for troubleshooting our trucks is a multi-meter. Harbor Freight is your friend. I recommend the one with camp-on current probe. Good to use for determining current loads - i.e., current to starter solenoid, current to headlights, tec.

With tailltight switch ON, check all these points and let us know, then we'll go from there.

 

relay clicks like it should , I don't have a multimeter , could a loose bulb cause the fuse to blow ?

 

Good news, now need to test voltages.

Next to our senses, an important and inexpensive tool for troubleshooting our trucks is a multi-meter. Harbor Freight is your friend.


IF it causes shorts in the receptacle, yes.

To find shorts, you will need:

1. A multi-meter, or
2. A supply of fuses to blow.

 

multimeter is on my list , thanks

 

well that was "short" lived ha ha , retraced the trailer wires again and found several breaks in it , all is good again

 

Hi Richard,
I have some problem now, so please let me know more detail what you did, so I can fix my truck please. Thanks

 

Richard said that he, "retraced the trailer wires again and found several breaks in it".

The purpose of the forum is so people can share their solutions. Read posts above and you will find the solution.
Also please see my signature. It would help you solve your problem THAT WE DON'T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT.

 

Thanks, I will do that.