legacycentral bbs

I'm having issues with my taillights and I'm not really sure of the issue.

Essentially my taillight fuse will blow once every month to month and a half. Generally I'm able to replace the fuse a few days later and itll work fine. But tonight I tried to replace it instantly as it blew and I blew 2 new fuses trying to get it to work. Pretty sure I can come back in a day or two and It'll work just fine and not blow the fuse for a while. It doesn't really matter on weather it seems, rain or shine. I don't think water is getting in anywhere but I could be wrong. I feel as if water was getting in somewhere my entire bulb would blow but that's not the case.

I would check your bulbs, some times a filament is broke and will short out and pop the fuse. I've seen this many times.

As mentioned in my PM, you've got a short somewhere and based on your description it's probably in the right rear where the rear wiring harness is routed.

Remove the rear panels to get access to the wiring loom and look for bare wires or burnt smelling wiring.

Legacy777 wrote:As mentioned in my PM, you've got a short somewhere and based on your description it's probably in the right rear where the rear wiring harness is routed.

Remove the rear panels to get access to the wiring loom and look for bare wires or burnt smelling wiring.

For sure. If the wires end up being good where should I look next?

If you don't see any bare wires I would recommend using a multimeter to check for continuity in the wiring and ground. I'd unplug the connector from the tail lamps and start there. There may also be an issue with the bulb or housing where it connects. You just may have to look at it and see if something doesn't look right.

The harness looks clean and so does everything else. I also don't have a multimeter so I'm a bit at a loss, also not good with wiring at all. As I said in the PM to you I found exposed wiring to the right side marker (Body side harness). The wires were exposed but when I went to look farther back into the loom to see if there was anymore exposed it broke so now it's up somewhere and I have no idea to get it out. I feel as if it's grounding out somewhere now that it's loose up there.

http://imgur.com/A103yWq
http://imgur.com/HbsJmx0

Also I do have condensation in both my corner lights, but I almost doubt that's the issue. I've had tail light issues since I got the car but the condensation thing is new.

The rear assembly pieces with all the bulbs in it on both sides look very clean and tidy. Every single light on my car works but the tail lights (Running lights) and that's the only thing that blows. The bulbs have never blown itself. I was reading about a relay for the tail lights? I don't have a bad relay do I? Could the bad relay cause the fuse to blow over and over?

It's crazy when the fuse blows sometimes it's just not the fact that the inside wiring of the fuse is separated, few times it's been completely gone.

Also Legacy777 I know I PM'd you already just trying to get second opinions to see if I can get this figured out. But you seem to be the main guy to ask and very knowledgeable.

the condensation is a problem too, that's not helping your situation

SILINC3R wrote:the condensation is a problem too, that's not helping your situation

Right and I plan on replacing the corner lights soon. I have EDM headlights on the way and I hear it's not a bad idea to get a set of EDM cornerlights to match. But I hear USDM ones just need a slight bit of modification.

This is irritating lol

Well, that wont help your issue with the tail lights. You can use a silicone to seal them once you get them sorted and cleaned.

SILINC3R wrote:Well, that wont help your issue with the tail lights. You can use a silicone to seal them once you get them sorted and cleaned.

If I can't get some EDM ones I might just buy these come payday
Also if the cornerlights were the issue wouldn't my turn signal fuse be blowing too?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/SUBARU-LEGACY-9 ... c9&vxp=mtr

We've been talking about this on FB, I didn't realize you had bare wiring on or around your front corner lights. If you have bare wiring, then yes you're going to short out and not all the time. I think it's time to pull the fender liners and look at the harness and inspect for more bare wires.

BUT.......

If the problem is at the tail lights, the easiest approach is pulling the trunk liners and checking out the wiring there.

Also, re-sealing your Tail lights and replacing your trunk seal can eliminate the condensation, unless you have cracked tail lights.

cj91legss wrote:We've been talking about this on FB, I didn't realize you had bare wiring on or around your front corner lights. If you have bare wiring, then yes you're going to short out and not all the time. I think it's time to pull the fender liners and look at the harness and inspect for more bare wires.

BUT.......

If the problem is at the tail lights, the easiest approach is pulling the trunk liners and checking out the wiring there.

Also, re-sealing your Tail lights and replacing your trunk seal can eliminate the condensation, unless you have cracked tail lights.

The bad wiring is the one to the right side marker. And where it broke off when I was checking it it broke back into this spot that I can't get too. I don't have a fender liner but it was coming through a hole down there and i literally have no idea how to get into there.

Not having a fender liner is why your wires are messed up Matt. Might be a good idea to track some down.

cj91legss wrote:Not having a fender liner is why your wires are messed up Matt. Might be a good idea to track some down.

Right but I need to figure out how to get to those wires. It broke and it's up in a whole somewhere

Show us some more detailed photos Matt. I'll try to help as much as possible.

Pull the fender off. It isn't to difficult to do

SILINC3R wrote:Pull the fender off. It isn't to difficult to do

Never said it was.

Here are some more pictures of the stock wiring with the fenders off.

http://www.main.experiencetherave.com/s ... ticbraces/

Legacy777 wrote:Here are some more pictures of the stock wiring with the fenders off.

http://www.main.experiencetherave.com/s ... ticbraces/

I plan on taking the fender off if weather cooperates today to find the side marker wires. I honestly think I just mis judged where the wires were coming from.

Pythonmsh wrote:

cj91legss wrote:Not having a fender liner is why your wires are messed up Matt. Might be a good idea to track some down.

Right but I need to figure out how to get to those wires. It broke and it's up in a whole somewhere

Never said you did.

When you ask a question in regards to how you are going to go about getting access to those wires. I provided a picture to show you. This forum isn't about stumping the new guy, we are here to help.

SILINC3R wrote:

Pythonmsh wrote:

cj91legss wrote:Not having a fender liner is why your wires are messed up Matt. Might be a good idea to track some down.

Right but I need to figure out how to get to those wires. It broke and it's up in a whole somewhere

Never said you did.

When you ask a question in regards to how you are going to go about getting access to those wires. I provided a picture to show you. This forum isn't about stumping the new guy, we are here to help.

Right. I will be jacking the car up tomorrow and taking the wheel/fender off. I'm unable to get to a few bolts with the wheel on. I need to raise my coils up

http://imgur.com/NB5o8Hz

http://imgur.com/Bfhrz0q (Don't have much room with my big ass hands to get in there to get a few of em)

So It'll make it easier if I remove the wheel.

I found the exposed wires from the side marker and majority of them were touching causing a short. I'll be fixing that tomorrow. I tried to seperate the wires from each other as much as i could.

3-4 days ago I took the wires and spread them apart for the mean time and no fuse blew when before they were all touching it blew instantly or within 20-30minutes.

took the wheel and fender off today and fixed the problem. I also tucked the wires against the body with zip ties cause the oem clips that held them were broken/getting old.

http://imgur.com/rSaFexi

It was completely melted to the cover lol. So i cut it back to good wire and electrical taped them separately. Also taped the outside plastic cover so it'd be protected more until I got a new harness thingy for the side marker and hook it up. I plan on replacing all 4 doors / fenders and vinyl wrapping the car so that'll be for later, I just want the tail lights working

So if it doesn't blow then this was most likely my issue.

Next stop... fixing my starter problems.

Yup, that definitely looks like it was your problem.

Lights have been working great for the past few months! I believe my issue was fixed.

Good deal!