HELP!! 1997 Ford Contour: Radio, Courtesy Lights, etc., Won't Work. Fuse #34

[soulwinnerrj]

Alright, I have a 1997 Ford Contour 2.0L that I had had in the garage for about a week, up on blocks while I was swapping my stock wheels for another type of stock wheels at the dealership I work for (new car trade). When I was in the garage a couple nights, I listened to the radio (aftermarket Pioneer radio, approx. six years old). Last night, when I was putting the wheels back on, I was listening, and the radio started shutting off and on. Well, dummy me, I listened to the radio one too many times and the battery was now pretty much dead. I rolled her out of the garage and jumped her. I let it idle for a little while, then I took her for a spin down the street.


I kicked on the radio, switched to the CD player, and there was no "thump" (I have an aftermarket amp and two 12" subwoofers). I had the "system" cut off to the amp when I had been listening in the garage. I scrolled through the menu, and turned it back on. Within 20-30 seconds, the radio shut off. The clock was not working as well, and when I got home, the courtesy lights were also not working. Today I also discovered that the side mirrors are off.


Well, all of that seems to be operated through fuse #34, in one way or another. When I replace the fuse, it just pops immediately. I removed the radio and I see no bare wires or anything. I also removed the dome light to inspect for damage, and also the courtesy floor lights. I had them all disconnected, and I am still immediately blowing the fuse.


One other thing I just thought of, is that I have noticed a loud clicking noise coming from the gearshift (it's an automatic). I do not believe it was ever this noticeable before. Every time I apply the brake, there's the loud noise. I would expect some sort of noise, perhaps, but not this loud. It might just be coincidental, but thought I would mention it, just in case it might be an issue. Or, if not an issue with my fuse problem, why is it so much more loud and noticeable now, and is it something that I should have fixed?


I have read through a couple posts on here for ideas, and my situation seems to be, at least slightly unique. Could it be a relay? And if so, where might I be able to find this at to check it? Are there other things that need to be inspected that I have overlooked, etc? :shrug: It seems to me like it would be the radio, but with the ignition not even switched on, and now the radio is even out... I am puzzled on what it might be, and what to try next. I thought if anyone might have had the problem here, they might be able to lend me some handy/timely advice.


Thank you in advance!

 

[Tony2005]

Turn on the headlamps. Walk to the back of the car. If the rear lights are not working, you need to change the Headlamp switch.

There is a recall for it. If not, the parts are about $70.

By now, the instrument panel fuse (fuse 31) may have blown. Reinstall a new one and see if it works. If it doesn't, "headlamp switch recall".

Edit. Headlampswitch

Turn on the lights. Go out and check if rear lamps are working. If they are not, then it is probably the headlamp switch or associated wiring. There is a recall on most 95 to 97 models (Headlamp Switch Recall 99S14). Check with your local friendly Ford dealer or register at www.fordvehicles.com. You need the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN).


Autozonelink
http://www.autozone.com/autozone/re...itle=Headlight+Switch&partId=0900c152800a8c0e


Headlamp switch REMOVAL & INSTALLATION

http://www.contour.org/ceg-vb/../.....ease the knob from the headlight switch shaft
Fig. Fig. 1: Use a paper clip to release the knob from the headlight switch shaft

http://www.contour.org/ceg-vb/../.....finish panel, and is retained by three screws
Fig. Fig. 2: The headlight switch is attached to the finish panel, and is retained by three screws

1. Disconnect the negative battery cable.
2. Remove the knee bolster panel on the driver's side of the instrument panel.
3. Remove the left hand finish panel from the instrument panel.
4. Unplug the headlamp switch connector.
5. Slide a small pin into the hole on the bottom of the headlight switch knob to release the locking tab, and remove the knob from the headlight switch shaft.
6. Remove the three headlamp switch-to-panel retaining screws and remove the switch assembly.
7. Press the locking tabs on the headlamp switch and remove the switch from the headlamp switch retainer.

To install:

1. Press the headlamp switch into the retainer until the locking tabs engage.
2. Install the headlamp switch assembly onto the panel and tighten the three headlamp switch-to-panel retaining screws.
3. Attach the headlamp switch connector.
4. Install the finish panel.
5. Install the knee bolster panel.
6. Connect the negative battery cable.

 

[david71]

I've had the same issue (blown fuse) when I put my pioneer in my 98 contour the only thing I did was put in a bigger fuse when I replaced it with the same fuse it would keep blowing it but put the bigger one in didn't blow:shrug:

 

[soulwinnerrj]

Hey Tony, thanks for the idea. I was pretty sure that I had checked that already, but just in case I overlooked it, I just went downstairs and checked the rear tail lights. They came on with no problem. And fuse #31 appears "intact" upon a visual inspection. Any ideas of what to check next?

David, you know what's odd, tho? I have had this CD player in my car for six years, with no problems. Same with the amp and subs. Very odd. It's probably just a coincidence that this all happened at once. Seems like problems with my Contour come in bunches; "When it rains, it POURS!" Ha.

Thank you for the replys thus far, guys! Keep those ideas coming.

 

[silver rocket]

I've had the same issue (blown fuse) when I put my pioneer in my 98 contour the only thing I did was put in a bigger fuse when I replaced it with the same fuse it would keep blowing it but put the bigger one in didn't blow:shrug:

BAAAAD idea putting in a bigger fuse than recommended it could cause serious problems even fire.
Or you will just keep blowing a different fuse i.e the one in your head unit. If there is some thing short circuited putting in a larger amp fuse can cause your car to turn into a little flame ball. But that is if it's a short circuit.
I had the same problem but i did NOT do any thing and just one lucky time i guess put a fuse in and every thing works now?? I am not about to question the good but what ever.
I did some research and people were saying to check all easy access bulb sockets for problems.
Or just start and take out all your bulbs on that fuse witch are: kick plate/floorboard lights, dome lights, dimmer switch light, trunk light. Then put the fuse back in and see if your problem is fixed. If it does fix it then start putting your bulbs back in.
And the one/ones that pop your fuse are the ones your looking at.
It could be wiring or some thing in the connectors.

 

[soulwinnerrj]

Well, here's what I found out. Upon tearing everything apart, including disconnecting all things associated with that fuse, I found one of the two wires (orange) leading to the passenger side floor courtesy light had a cut in the outer sheath, and may have been touching bare metal. I taped it up, put the fuse back in, and BAM! She worked!


Now, a day later, I am leaving work, crank the tunes, and the bass starts hitting, then POOF! Everything went dead again. I got to thinking, maybe it is the trunk light after all. So, I put in the new fuse, it worked, then proceeded to put the trunk light back in its place. While doing this, it blew again. So, it would make sense that when the bass hits, that the short occurs back in the trunk, and pops the fuse. I haven't actually discovered the root of the problem there, but I carefully put it back, reinstalled the fuse, and it works again. It may blow at any time, but we'll see.

 

[silver rocket]

You could just take out the bulb in your trunk and keep a flash light handy. Or keep it out and when you need to plug it back in and see what you need and before driving/bassing unplug it. Or trace out the wires and find out where its shorting. I keep mine in and it still has not poped again it has only done it once and i am glad cause every single one of my bulbs is BLUE!! I love getting out of my car at night and watching every one watch it its such a good feeling:drool:. CANT WAIT TILL UNDERGLOW IS INSTALLED!!!! And yea its blue to:laugh:. Can't you tell that is my favorite color?