96 SSEI very wierd lighting problem

[96ssei]

Ok first off the car is a 96 SSEi. The problem is the both fog lights stay on dim all the time no matter what, only time that changes is when you turn them on then only the driver side fog light comes on like normal, the other one isn't dim just is on not dim not at all. Also when I say they stay on dim all the time I mean car completly off, key out of ignition, headlight switch removed, fog switch removed, and fog fuse pulled. Also another problem i noticed is the interior lights stay on when ever they fell like it not all the time but just randomly. Anyone with any insite on this issue please post up some starting points, I am bout to go nuts trying to figure this out. Could the bcm have anything to do with this?

[mark a]

sounds haunted to me ! call ghost adventures team! seriously, sounds like theres a fried ground wire or wires somewhere. if it is good luck finding it or them.

[sonoma_zr2]

pull fuse 6C (15A). this is the parklps/intlps fuse. this feeds the headlamp switch and the lamp control module (lcm). they both send signal to fog lamp switch. sounds like your problem may be the lcm.

[sonoma_zr2]

actually, pulling the fog lamp relay would be a good test.



"A" is the relay to pull. this is the right (passenger side) fuse panel.

[96ssei]

OK removed fuse 6c fog lights still on, removed relay in passenger compartment still on. And When I remove them both at the same time still on. So whats that mean. I really don't know where to go now. Would it be wise to do a voltage drop test and see witch fuse circuit is powering them.

[sonoma_zr2]

wow, maybe the relay isn't "A", this is from a 99 fsm. fuse 6D provides power to the fog lamp relay. with relay "A" pulled, try your horn or trunk release. "B" is supposed to be door locks, "D" is supposed to be trunk release.

pin 87(34) of the relay socket is connected to fog lamps. with relay pulled, see if there is 12v there. if there is, you have 12v shorted somewhere between the fuse box and the fog lamp. fuse 6D is connected to pin 30 (1440).

[96ssei]

I also just realised interior lights are on dim to as well. And when they arent neither are the fog lights. They go off somethimes.(don't know why or how) Also when you turn the lights on everything stays the same, but turn the fog light on, interior lights go out and only the driver side (left) fog light comes on and is brite like it should be. Right one isn't even dim.

[sonoma_zr2]

in the engine compartment - firewall, there is a 20amp breaker labeled LCM/HDLP. pull it. this feeds the headlamp switch and lamp control module. either of those 2 pieces might be the problem.

[96ssei]

Where is the lcm located? I have pulled the breaker under the hood does they stay on.

[sonoma_zr2]

Where is the lcm located? I have pulled the breaker under the hood does they stay on.

you pulled the breaker and the fogs stayed on?

the lcm is in the center of the dash, underneath the center heater outlet. it has 2 connectors on the bottom of the module. it slides to the left in the retainer. you have to remove both driver and passenger hush panels to get to it.

[96ssei]

Ya the breaker on the firewall they still stay on real dim. I am really bout to my wits end, suck I sold it to my mom. Then this problem occurs now I'm obligated to fix it for her, and electrical issues aren't my speciality.

[sonoma_zr2]

you must have a 12v line pinched and bleeding into the light circuit. my only suggestion is start pulling fuses one by one, doesn't matter if it is a light circuit or not.
the first thing to try is disconnect the battery, hopefully the lights go out....

[Mechanical Mike]

He may (must?) have power back-feeding in through the ground on one of the fog lights. He can test this theory by removing one of the bulbs & see if both bulbs stop glowing.

[96ssei]

I have done that and ya they go out then.

[Mechanical Mike]

Do you have a voltmeter?

[sonoma_zr2]

the fog lights ground through the door sill ground points. never had him check those, didn't seem like a possibility.



there is a grounding block below each front door sill, check them. maybe they are all wet and sitting in water.

[96ssei]

Ya but how would power be getting to the ground if it is wet? This crap is so confusing. I do have a volt meter but its at a buddies shop. I got a test light here.

[96ssei]

Also when the fog lights are unpluged and out the interior lights go out to, but won't work with the doors open but will with the switches.

[sonoma_zr2]

Ya but how would power be getting to the ground if it is wet? This crap is so confusing. I do have a volt meter but its at a buddies shop. I got a test light here.

wet wires have corrosion, meaning there could be a power wire in there that is shorting out. that is were we are at now, looking for wires that are arcing.

[96ssei]

A big thanks to you guys for helping me on this. It was that ground block on the passenger side floor board had corrosion on the metal tab that pushes in and out and there is a bunch of moisture down there. Fix one problem find another one.