[Terry C.]

I had to drop my dash to work on the speedometer. When I went to reinstall it, I did not realize I had accidentally left on the ignition. I of course shorted out some things and blew the fuses controlling the radio and a second fuse that I think controlled the brake lamps (the labels on the fuse panel are worn and I cannot read the labeling on the bottom slot.) (Reading top to bottom the fuses are, INSTRUMENT, TAILLAMPS, BACKUP, HEATER, and ?) I blew the top one the INSTRUMENT and the bottom one the (?). I replaced the two blown fuses and checked all of them with a multimeter. I have front marker light and turn signals on the front and rear. But, I do not have BRAKE lights TAIL lights, and no INSTRUMENT PANEL lights. Any suggestions on where to start tracking why they are not working since I already checked the fuses?

 

[Terry C.]

There is no doubt a gremlin in this car's wiring system. Last night after dark, I went out and checked the fuse box and the lights. I had checked the continuity of the fuses but had not checked if I had power to the fuse to begin with.
THE RESULTS: The instrument panel, has no power in, all others power in but the taillights had power in, but none out. I changed that fuse and then had tail and brake lights! I then turned the instrument brightness knob on the headlight switch and darned if they did not come on as well. I wonder if I showed no power into the fusebox because it was not coming through the headlight switch?
Now for the new wrinkle. All lights are working but when I turn on the left or right turn signal and the parking lights/headlights are on, the taillights blink on/off instead of bright/dim. This must be a grounding problem that I need to check.
My thanks to you who answered.
I'm going to leave well enough alone except to track down a probable ungrounded taillight string.