'92 Legacy Turbo blowing clock/room fuse
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'92 Legacy Turbo blowing clock/room fuse
Hi everyone, thanks in advance for any help you can provide.
I just purchased a 1992 legacy turbo from a friend. It has been sitting for a year, and now blows "clock/room" fuse in the engine compartment. It did not blow this fuse a year ago, the radio worked fine. My understanding is that this fuse protects all interior lights and the radio.
I have a Fluke multimeter so I am able to test continuity, not just play a guessing game.
I checked all wiring on the radio, and it is correct and not shorting out.
What I found which seems wrong:
There is continuity between the power wire and ground for the MAP and TRUNK lights (not the dome light in the middle) This seems like a cause for the problem, correct?
There is continuity between this green power wire and ground. (Map light)
There is continuity between the two contacts (power/ground for the trunk light)
Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Seems weird that this issue would only arise after the car sat for a year.
I just purchased a 1992 legacy turbo from a friend. It has been sitting for a year, and now blows "clock/room" fuse in the engine compartment. It did not blow this fuse a year ago, the radio worked fine. My understanding is that this fuse protects all interior lights and the radio.
I have a Fluke multimeter so I am able to test continuity, not just play a guessing game.
I checked all wiring on the radio, and it is correct and not shorting out.
What I found which seems wrong:
There is continuity between the power wire and ground for the MAP and TRUNK lights (not the dome light in the middle) This seems like a cause for the problem, correct?
There is continuity between this green power wire and ground. (Map light)
There is continuity between the two contacts (power/ground for the trunk light)
Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Seems weird that this issue would only arise after the car sat for a year.
Last edited by Overclocked on Wed Feb 25, 2015 4:44 am, edited 1 time in total.
Re: '92 Legacy Turbo blowing clock/room fuse
Welcome.
The common link between those two circuits is the circuit MB-8 (fuse 25) in the engine bay that you mentioned. Those two lights are on that same circuit while the dome light is not on the same circuit.
The following loads are that same circuit:
Radio
Height control unit (for height suspension if equipped)
Spot (map) lights
Fuse box light
Rear light (wagon)
Step lights (if equipped)
Luggage light
Trunk light
I would try narrowing down the issue to one of these lights/devices and their wiring. You can d/l the wiring diagrams from me. I don't have all the wiring diagrams scanned for the 92+ model years, but the 90 MY should give you a good idea of things to troubleshoot further.
http://www.main.experiencetherave.com/s ... agrams.zip
http://www.main.experiencetherave.com/s ... and_Elect/
I'd also suggest checking out this thread.
http://bbs.legacycentral.org/viewtopic.php?f=12&t=14485
The common link between those two circuits is the circuit MB-8 (fuse 25) in the engine bay that you mentioned. Those two lights are on that same circuit while the dome light is not on the same circuit.
The following loads are that same circuit:
Radio
Height control unit (for height suspension if equipped)
Spot (map) lights
Fuse box light
Rear light (wagon)
Step lights (if equipped)
Luggage light
Trunk light
I would try narrowing down the issue to one of these lights/devices and their wiring. You can d/l the wiring diagrams from me. I don't have all the wiring diagrams scanned for the 92+ model years, but the 90 MY should give you a good idea of things to troubleshoot further.
http://www.main.experiencetherave.com/s ... agrams.zip
http://www.main.experiencetherave.com/s ... and_Elect/
I'd also suggest checking out this thread.
http://bbs.legacycentral.org/viewtopic.php?f=12&t=14485
Josh
surrealmirage.com/subaru
1990 Legacy (AWD, 6MT, & EJ22T Swap)
2020 Outback Limted XT
If you need to get a hold of me please email me rather then pm
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1990 Legacy (AWD, 6MT, & EJ22T Swap)
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Re: '92 Legacy Turbo blowing clock/room fuse
Hi there,
Thank you for the resources. The "door open indicator" screen on the dashboard does not work either, these wiring diagrams do not mention it. Is it part of the MB-8 circuit?
Thank you for the resources. The "door open indicator" screen on the dashboard does not work either, these wiring diagrams do not mention it. Is it part of the MB-8 circuit?
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Re: '92 Legacy Turbo blowing clock/room fuse
This car is becoming a wiring nightmare. Sunroof doesn't work now (no sound of motor/relay), all interior lights don't work, radio doesn't work, and the "door open indicator" also doesn't work.
Re: '92 Legacy Turbo blowing clock/room fuse
No, door indicator is on a separate circuit, but it is on the same circuit as the sunroof relay. Check fuse No. 15.
Have you gone through and checked with the multi meter whether every fuse is good? If not, I'd suggest doing that. If it blows again, I'd try and narrow down that circuit to the individual components and see if one has a short.
Have you gone through and checked with the multi meter whether every fuse is good? If not, I'd suggest doing that. If it blows again, I'd try and narrow down that circuit to the individual components and see if one has a short.
Josh
surrealmirage.com/subaru
1990 Legacy (AWD, 6MT, & EJ22T Swap)
2020 Outback Limted XT
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Re: '92 Legacy Turbo blowing clock/room fuse
I just checked every fuse for continuity (both inside/engine comp.) and only Number 25 is blown.
This schematic from "1992 Service Bulletins" (Your third link) conflicts with the information you have provided me above.
It includes all of these devices on fuse Number 25:
- trunk light
- dome light
- spot (map) light
- radio
- instrument cluster
This would explain why all of my interior lights don't work, (including dome) and perhaps why my "door open indicator" (instrument cluster?) doesn't work either.
I think I am going to buy a Short/Open Circuit Detector to help with the situation.
This schematic from "1992 Service Bulletins" (Your third link) conflicts with the information you have provided me above.
It includes all of these devices on fuse Number 25:
- trunk light
- dome light
- spot (map) light
- radio
- instrument cluster
This would explain why all of my interior lights don't work, (including dome) and perhaps why my "door open indicator" (instrument cluster?) doesn't work either.
I think I am going to buy a Short/Open Circuit Detector to help with the situation.
Re: '92 Legacy Turbo blowing clock/room fuse
Subaru is unfortunately notorious for having omissions/errors in their factory manuals, so it's very possible that everything is tied to that fuse 25. If you put a new fuse in does it blow right away?
Either way, you'll need to do some more testing with a multimeter or open/short tester.
Either way, you'll need to do some more testing with a multimeter or open/short tester.
Josh
surrealmirage.com/subaru
1990 Legacy (AWD, 6MT, & EJ22T Swap)
2020 Outback Limted XT
If you need to get a hold of me please email me rather then pm
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1990 Legacy (AWD, 6MT, & EJ22T Swap)
2020 Outback Limted XT
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Re: '92 Legacy Turbo blowing clock/room fuse
Yes, a new fuse always blows right away. There is a definite short, I measured continuity between the fuse socket pin and ground.
I have ordered a Power Probe ECT2000 (no affiliation) that I hope will lead me to the short. It injects a signal in the circuit and shows the direction of the short, amongst other things. Cost me 100$ so I hope it helps!
It's possible that a squirrel or something chewed wires while the car was sitting...
I have ordered a Power Probe ECT2000 (no affiliation) that I hope will lead me to the short. It injects a signal in the circuit and shows the direction of the short, amongst other things. Cost me 100$ so I hope it helps!
It's possible that a squirrel or something chewed wires while the car was sitting...
Re: '92 Legacy Turbo blowing clock/room fuse
Ok, let us know what you find out.
I've got a power probe tester, and they're pretty handy.
I've got a power probe tester, and they're pretty handy.
Josh
surrealmirage.com/subaru
1990 Legacy (AWD, 6MT, & EJ22T Swap)
2020 Outback Limted XT
If you need to get a hold of me please email me rather then pm
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Re: '92 Legacy Turbo blowing clock/room fuse
The power probe is pointing towards a short within the dash. This is a likely cause because the previous owner apparently already had the dash out once. Perhaps he pinched a wire during re installation.
This means the dash will have to be removed again.
Not fun.. haaa haa
This means the dash will have to be removed again.
Not fun.. haaa haa
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Re: '92 Legacy Turbo blowing clock/room fuse
The short was found in the dome light wiring with the help of the power probe. It was pinched under the sunroof bracket above the door. It's been fixed now and the fuse no longer blows.
Severed wire:
Pinched and cut by this metal bracket:
Severed wire:
Pinched and cut by this metal bracket:
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Re: '92 Legacy Turbo blowing clock/room fuse
On another note, the blower fan works on settings "1,2,3" but not "4". My first inclination was to replace the resistor pack, but "4" is full voltage and should not require any resistance. Is there a relay I should check, or perhaps the switch?
Re: '92 Legacy Turbo blowing clock/room fuse
Glad to hear you found the short.
I have heard others mention issues with the blower fan not working on 4, but I don't recall what the issue was.
The blower motor relay is up under the dash. Look at figure 63-3
http://www.surrealmirage.com/subaru/fil ... tion03.jpg
You can see some of the relays in these pictures.
http://main.experiencetherave.com/subar ... index.html
I have heard others mention issues with the blower fan not working on 4, but I don't recall what the issue was.
The blower motor relay is up under the dash. Look at figure 63-3
http://www.surrealmirage.com/subaru/fil ... tion03.jpg
You can see some of the relays in these pictures.
http://main.experiencetherave.com/subar ... index.html
Josh
surrealmirage.com/subaru
1990 Legacy (AWD, 6MT, & EJ22T Swap)
2020 Outback Limted XT
If you need to get a hold of me please email me rather then pm
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Re: '92 Legacy Turbo blowing clock/room fuse
I picked up a replacement fan speed switch from the junkyard to see if it would fix the problem. It did not.
Re: '92 Legacy Turbo blowing clock/room fuse
Have you looked into the relay?
Josh
surrealmirage.com/subaru
1990 Legacy (AWD, 6MT, & EJ22T Swap)
2020 Outback Limted XT
If you need to get a hold of me please email me rather then pm
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Re: '92 Legacy Turbo blowing clock/room fuse
Thanks for reminding me about that. I went and found the relay today.
I think it's the "smoking gun", because pins 3/4 on the relay are very tarnished and their part of the connector is brown. I cleaned up the contacts to see if that would fix it, but it did not. I will replace this relay and let you know the results.
The schematic shows Pins 3/4 as the switched part of the circuit, so this all makes sense.
I think it's the "smoking gun", because pins 3/4 on the relay are very tarnished and their part of the connector is brown. I cleaned up the contacts to see if that would fix it, but it did not. I will replace this relay and let you know the results.
The schematic shows Pins 3/4 as the switched part of the circuit, so this all makes sense.
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Re: '92 Legacy Turbo blowing clock/room fuse
Resistor pack is looking very rusty as well.
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Re: '92 Legacy Turbo blowing clock/room fuse
The blower fan problem was fixed by reconnecting this blue connector under the steering wheel. I thought it was for diagnostics because it's been unplugged ever since I've owned the car. And, of course I pulled the dash before realizing this.
I also replaced the relay before realizing this, but the original was looking a little burnt so it was a good idea anyways.
I also replaced the relay before realizing this, but the original was looking a little burnt so it was a good idea anyways.
Re: '92 Legacy Turbo blowing clock/room fuse
Good deal! Glad you figured that out. Yeah I remember seeing that blue connector when I took my dash out and it's some sort of ground I believe, but I haven't traced the wiring diagrams to see exactly where it goes.
Josh
surrealmirage.com/subaru
1990 Legacy (AWD, 6MT, & EJ22T Swap)
2020 Outback Limted XT
If you need to get a hold of me please email me rather then pm
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1990 Legacy (AWD, 6MT, & EJ22T Swap)
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Re: '92 Legacy Turbo blowing clock/room fuse
I traced the wiring diagrams when I was researching this. That blue connector is for the highest speed on the blower fan, and nothing else.
Re: '92 Legacy Turbo blowing clock/room fuse
Interesting! Good to know. Thanks!
Josh
surrealmirage.com/subaru
1990 Legacy (AWD, 6MT, & EJ22T Swap)
2020 Outback Limted XT
If you need to get a hold of me please email me rather then pm
surrealmirage.com/subaru
1990 Legacy (AWD, 6MT, & EJ22T Swap)
2020 Outback Limted XT
If you need to get a hold of me please email me rather then pm