09 TC has popped the tail light fuse (which also takes out the dash lights) 3 times in the last month. Anybody else run into this and have a fix?

 

Check the wiring there has to be a short somewhere. Shorts are what cause fuses to blow

 

Yes I know. I'm wondering if there is a common fault that somebody has already discovered. It's not a dead short because it will work for 1-2 weeks before blowing.

 

There aren't any common shorts known on this car, it's gotta be something unique to yours.

 

Sounds a lot like mine. Took forever to figure it out, pulled all the interior out of the trunk, check all the connectors, checked for rubbing through the insulation where the harness is against the body - found nada.

Finally stuck another fuse in, turned the lights on and ran around the back of the car trying to see if one of the lights was flickering or dim, try to narrow it down - and I see a stream of smoke (!!!) from the license plate light!

The way it is mounted it is exposed to any spray from under the car, get enough moisture in it and the damn socket shorted enough to overheat - burned the crap out of it. Never even thought of the lp light until I saw the smoke - replaced the socket and all is good.

Anyways, it's another place to check, good luck!

 

Thanks for the tip Buzzard.

 

The 06 s had a problem where the wires ran behind the sub,I think it was one of the mounting screws poking the wire bundle.
Take a look if you didn't figure it out yet.