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2012 Tail Light Short

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by Seekerhiker, Nov 4, 2020.

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  1. Seekerhiker

    Seekerhiker Junior Member

    Joined:
    Jan 16, 2019
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    Location:
    Connecticut
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Please help! I am trying to isolate a short in my 2012 Prius Two. I have unplugged the harness up front behind the bumper that feeds the lower lights (not sure if same circuit or not) and unplugged every light on the circuit. Still blows the 10A fuse instantly.

    Where are the wiring harnesses routed back towards the tail lights? I would like to start unplugging to test.

    Any help is greatly appreciated.

    FYI - I just bought this car, 190K, has been in some sort of accident that cracked bumper covers and front headlight assemblies, which I am now replacing. Car came without working taillights.

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
    #1 Seekerhiker, Nov 4, 2020
  2. Seekerhiker

    Seekerhiker Junior Member

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    2008 Prius
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    So I have been trying to trace the brown power wire in the tail lights using a multimeter. When I test for continuity from power to ground I get is all along the wire! Even when I disconnect sections of the harness under the panels - every place I test I get continuity. How does this happen and how can I check the power wire properly for shorts?
     
    #2 Seekerhiker, Nov 5, 2020
  3. Seekerhiker

    Seekerhiker Junior Member

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    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
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    Solved! After ripping the car apart and starting to use a free wire (engine hood courtesy light) to work around what I thought was a short in the main harness, I discovered this! One of the right marker lights had the two wires touching from degraded insulation only 2 inches from the bulb!

    Check out how much of the car I took apart to find this... 1108201453.jpeg 1108201453a.jpeg 1604865509849.jpeg 1604865532038.jpeg 1604865555061.jpeg

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
    #3 Seekerhiker, Nov 8, 2020
  4. AzusaPrius

    AzusaPrius Senior Member

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    Location:
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    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    Well you know your way around the new lady at the very least.

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
    #4 AzusaPrius, Nov 9, 2020
  5. ct78155

    ct78155 New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 9, 2021
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    Location:
    Texas
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    Thanks to the OP for this thread. 2010 prius here, ripped car apart and everything looked fine. Rear running lights/license plate lights would not turn on. Would burn the 10a fuse instantly as well.

    Found this thread and looked at the headlight side marker wiring and bingo......melted and bare wiring touching each other.
     
    #5 ct78155, Jan 9, 2021
  6. archie1215

    archie1215 New Member

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    Location:
    Jackson, MS
    Vehicle:
    2014 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    Thank you for your help. My daughter's car was having the same issue of no tail lights, side markers, etc. The issue was in about a one inch spot the wire to the side market bulb was worn down all the wire and smashed both wires together. She also had a 20 amp fuse under the hood that went to a relay was blown as well as the #30 ten amp fuse blown. Thanks again.
     
    #6 archie1215, Feb 17, 2023
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