Lights not working. :(

[SouthBLVD]

I did a search and could not find anything relating to exactly what might be happening in my situation.

01 SS A4

I turned on my lights two mornings ago (it was a cold morning, colder than normal for NM) and I heard a fuse pop. The only lights working after that were my headlights. I checked my fuses and found the Courtesy Fuse was blown. I replaced it and it just pops everytime i turn my lights on. The interior and dash lights do not work either. The lights on the rearview mirror do work though.

I know that it must be a bad wire somewhere or a bad connection. I was just hoping someone could point me in the right direction of where to start looking. Any wires in specific. Maybe someone has gone throught this and can save me a little time and energy. Would it be wise for me to just have a mechanic take a look? What kind of pricetag would I be looking at for a mechanic to fix it? Thank you.

[Danger731]

Maybe the bulbs themselves are grounding out ? Remove all the bulbs that aren't working front and rear then replace the fuse to see if it goes out again. If it doesn't then start replacing bulbs until it goes out. Maybe ??

[BowTied]

Hard to help on this through a board. Danger's post will definitely rule out Bulbs or maybe the Base Assy of the bulb.

What lights are you turning on when the Courtesy Fuse Blows? (The Head Lights, and are they still working?)

But if it is colder than usual...does this mean you used the heater in the car the evening before or perhaps that morning (where as you haven't ran it for a while)...turning the heater on and let it run before you drove?

Have you messed with any wiring under the dash in the last few weeks or months?

I'm looking for some change here? And what switch and what lights are and are not working.

[bigrondownhiller]

If all lights are off and the car is off and you replace the fuse does it pop instantly? If so it is most likely a courtesy light.

[SouthBLVD]

it was a pinched taillight wire. problem fixed. thanks for posts.

[BowTied]

How the Hell did the wire get pinched?

Has anyone been in there?
Glad you got it! That stuff can be very frustrating.