1997 Headlight Issue - Out of Ideas

[tomryan31]

Good Sunday afternoon all,
I'm hoping those more experienced than I may be able to lend some assistance. I feel like I've attempted everything to get my headlights (both low and high) to function again. Sometime in March, my headlights fuses blew, and I've tried everything I can think to diagnose the root cause:

• Fuses (10 /15 amp both) only blow when headlights installed - purchased new headlight and fuses still blow
• Re-terminated the lines from the headlights
• Replaced multi-function switch
• Bypassed both switches using jumper wires
• Removed gauge cluster on the off-chance something was routed through it drawing more power (I have had a hard time locating full schematics)

If anyone might have additional suggestions, I'd really appreciate it! Luckily it's not a daily-driver, but being limited to only daytime / pleasant weather driving limits my ability to use it, especially going into the winter months.

Thank you in advance!
Tom

 

[tomryan31]

And I apologize, this should have been in the lighting thread... I don't see how to move it however.

 

[Curious Hound]

I moved the thread.

I'll look at some drawings later and try to come up with some ideas. Usually, a fuse blowing, especially if it blows immediately upon energizing the circuit means that a wire has rubbed through its insulation and is touching ground somewhere. For it to happen with both high and low beams, narrows down which part of the circuit to look at. Don't lose hope. I'll be back later in the evening if someone else doesn't help you first.

 

[tomryan31]

That would make a lot of sense. Maybe one of these days after my son goes to bed I can run through the harness