mystery fuse

BOBz · 11-02-2009, 04:10 PM

While attempting to install my new rear fog, I wanted to check for proper voltage,ground,amp rate etc; somehow i shorted out. I looked at the fuses in the panel to the left driver's side and nothing was blown. I double checked the 10s, 15s, and 20s. Nothing indicated tail/plate lights on the cover. Everything works except tail and plate lights. Anybody know of fuses/links elsewhere in the car? I installed a 10 amp inline fuse to match the factory's for extra protection.That fuse did not blow. I used 18 ga. wire, and ran it to a rocker switch on the console. I'm thinking maybe the wire ga. is too heavy? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

ChrisSlicks · 11-02-2009, 05:11 PM

Having the gauge too heavy would not have any effect. There must be an additional in-line fuse somewhere in the rear wiring harness (probably in the trunk area). Did you check the electrical diagrams in the service manual?

BOBz · 11-03-2009, 06:55 AM

I looked for a Chilten type of service manual, you know the books that are in auto stores, but could only find 350z late models. Must have done something serious as the MIL light is on now, not blinking but steady.

ChrisSlicks · 11-03-2009, 09:44 AM

Pretty sure there was a wiring diagram in the PDF Nissan service manual listed here.
2009 370z Service Manual Complete ready to Download!

BOBz · 11-03-2009, 11:25 AM

Perfect! Thank you.

BOBz · 11-05-2009, 11:41 AM

Update on the "no tail light/plate light" mystery. Ended up taking the car to the dealer, and they found a computer component was fried. My question still remains, if the lighting is protected by a 10 amp fuse, then any current draw over 10 amps should blow the fuse thus protecting critical components, how is it possible for a fuse to not fail and cost me $657.00 dollars? This must be the most expensive 21 watt rear for light in the history of the automobile.

ChrisSlicks · 11-05-2009, 12:08 PM

Somehow you must of damaged the computer not by over current but by sending voltage in the wrong direction. Either that or the fuse didn't blow fast enough.

BOBz · 11-06-2009, 11:11 AM

So, I backfed the computer. The electronics are so sophisticated that perhaps the system won't tolerate any add-ons,especially "old school" methods like I was trying to do. Any suggestions on how to wire in my rear fog with the rocker switch on the console? Would like to have it wired in with the parking lights and not directly to the battery (should I forget to turn it off). Should I convert the light to L.E.D.s ? Thank you for your replies.

Modshack · 11-06-2009, 11:31 AM

My suggestion would be to keep it simple. Install a Fuse tap (with it's own fuse) into a switched circuit (Cigarette lighter tap shown). Run your hot lead to the rocker switch, then back to your fog.

This will keep it off the grid so to speak. With modern cars the CAN bus connects most everything so some mods can be a bit tricky electrically. This one is relatively simple though..

BOBz · 11-06-2009, 03:21 PM

Thanks! I think I'll be able to pick one up at the local auto or NAPA store. If I get the Z back from the dealer tonight or tomorrow, I'll put it together. Since the GA. wire would not be an issue, I'll go ahead with the 18GA..Will let you know how it came out Monday.

Pharmacist · 11-06-2009, 04:19 PM

why don't you just use the switch in the headlight stalk and the existing wiring for the foglights? Or did nissan redesign new switches and wiring harnesses just for the american spec cars?

That or trade in your car for a canadian model. They already have foglights from the factory.

BOBz · 11-09-2009, 03:30 PM

I looked for an existing connector above the muffler, where the harness is for the license plate and found nothing there. Also the headlight stalk does not have the "fog" feature on it.I did order the male connector for the light two weeks ago. No word on that from the dealer as yet. They said two days delivery time. So looks like I'm going to have to snip the factory plug and solder the wires.

11-02-2009, 04:10 PM	#1 (permalink)
BOBz Base Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Mass. U.S.A. Posts: 29 Drives: 09 370z base auto Rep Power: 16	mystery fuse While attempting to install my new rear fog, I wanted to check for proper voltage,ground,amp rate etc; somehow i shorted out. I looked at the fuses in the panel to the left driver's side and nothing was blown. I double checked the 10s, 15s, and 20s. Nothing indicated tail/plate lights on the cover. Everything works except tail and plate lights. Anybody know of fuses/links elsewhere in the car? I installed a 10 amp inline fuse to match the factory's for extra protection.That fuse did not blow. I used 18 ga. wire, and ran it to a rocker switch on the console. I'm thinking maybe the wire ga. is too heavy? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

11-03-2009, 06:55 AM	#3 (permalink)
BOBz Base Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Mass. U.S.A. Posts: 29 Drives: 09 370z base auto Rep Power: 16	mystery fuse I looked for a Chilten type of service manual, you know the books that are in auto stores, but could only find 350z late models. Must have done something serious as the MIL light is on now, not blinking but steady.

11-05-2009, 11:41 AM	#6 (permalink)
BOBz Base Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Mass. U.S.A. Posts: 29 Drives: 09 370z base auto Rep Power: 16	mystery fuse update Update on the "no tail light/plate light" mystery. Ended up taking the car to the dealer, and they found a computer component was fried. My question still remains, if the lighting is protected by a 10 amp fuse, then any current draw over 10 amps should blow the fuse thus protecting critical components, how is it possible for a fuse to not fail and cost me $657.00 dollars? This must be the most expensive 21 watt rear for light in the history of the automobile.

11-06-2009, 11:31 AM	#9 (permalink)
Modshack A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Greenville NC Posts: 2,883 Drives: 370Z Sport Rep Power: 976	My suggestion would be to keep it simple. Install a Fuse tap (with it's own fuse) into a switched circuit (Cigarette lighter tap shown). Run your hot lead to the rocker switch, then back to your fog. This will keep it off the grid so to speak. With modern cars the CAN bus connects most everything so some mods can be a bit tricky electrically. This one is relatively simple though.. __________________ Steal my car! (SOLD)...Now Porsche Cayman S Oil Cooler DIY: Here!

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11-02-2009, 05:11 PM	#2 (permalink)
ChrisSlicks A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: North East Posts: 6,203 Drives: 09 370Z Sport M6 Rep Power: 653	Having the gauge too heavy would not have any effect. There must be an additional in-line fuse somewhere in the rear wiring harness (probably in the trunk area). Did you check the electrical diagrams in the service manual?

11-03-2009, 09:44 AM	#4 (permalink)
ChrisSlicks A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: North East Posts: 6,203 Drives: 09 370Z Sport M6 Rep Power: 653	Pretty sure there was a wiring diagram in the PDF Nissan service manual listed here. 2009 370z Service Manual Complete ready to Download!

11-03-2009, 11:25 AM	#5 (permalink)
BOBz Base Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Mass. U.S.A. Posts: 29 Drives: 09 370z base auto Rep Power: 16	Perfect! Thank you.

11-05-2009, 12:08 PM	#7 (permalink)
ChrisSlicks A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: North East Posts: 6,203 Drives: 09 370Z Sport M6 Rep Power: 653	Somehow you must of damaged the computer not by over current but by sending voltage in the wrong direction. Either that or the fuse didn't blow fast enough.

11-06-2009, 11:11 AM	#8 (permalink)
BOBz Base Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Mass. U.S.A. Posts: 29 Drives: 09 370z base auto Rep Power: 16	So, I backfed the computer. The electronics are so sophisticated that perhaps the system won't tolerate any add-ons,especially "old school" methods like I was trying to do. Any suggestions on how to wire in my rear fog with the rocker switch on the console? Would like to have it wired in with the parking lights and not directly to the battery (should I forget to turn it off). Should I convert the light to L.E.D.s ? Thank you for your replies.

11-06-2009, 03:21 PM	#10 (permalink)
BOBz Base Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Mass. U.S.A. Posts: 29 Drives: 09 370z base auto Rep Power: 16	Thanks! I think I'll be able to pick one up at the local auto or NAPA store. If I get the Z back from the dealer tonight or tomorrow, I'll put it together. Since the GA. wire would not be an issue, I'll go ahead with the 18GA..Will let you know how it came out Monday.

11-06-2009, 04:19 PM	#11 (permalink)
Pharmacist A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2009 Location: Toronto, Ontario Posts: 1,249 Drives: 09 370z Sport 6MT Rep Power: 18	why don't you just use the switch in the headlight stalk and the existing wiring for the foglights? Or did nissan redesign new switches and wiring harnesses just for the american spec cars? That or trade in your car for a canadian model. They already have foglights from the factory.

11-09-2009, 03:30 PM	#12 (permalink)
BOBz Base Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Mass. U.S.A. Posts: 29 Drives: 09 370z base auto Rep Power: 16	I looked for an existing connector above the muffler, where the harness is for the license plate and found nothing there. Also the headlight stalk does not have the "fog" feature on it.I did order the male connector for the light two weeks ago. No word on that from the dealer as yet. They said two days delivery time. So looks like I'm going to have to snip the factory plug and solder the wires.