No lights and no blown fuses?

[capri755]

Alright guys, here's a summary of whats going on
Working correctly-

-Brake lights
-Headlights/High beams
-Entry Illumination
-Reverse lights
-Interior lighting (floor and ceiling)
-Hazards
-Turn Signals

Not working correctly-

-Taillights
-Corner lamps
-Courtesy lamps
-Ash tray lamp
-Cluster lamps
-License plate lamp
-Parking lamps
-Side marker lamps

This problem JUST popped up. I went to dinner, drove there with everything working, and then left with nothing. I just got home and replaced all of the fuses that have to do with any of the lamps and checked the fuse links leading to the starter relay just to be safe. Everything looks good but I still have no lights.

[gadget73]

Pull the headlight switch out and see if it doesn't have a melted terminal. There is one that is known to burn off and it runs all of those lights.

[VicCrownVic]

My '89 MGM GS did the same thing a few months ago, no blown fuses anywhere.
If you slowly pull the headlight switch to manually turn the lights on see if the dash lights come on at any point or push the switch in and out slowly and see if it they come on. I found this somewhere online (may have been somewhere on here, not sure) and I was surprised it worked in my case since mine has the auto head lamps so I NEVER use the switch manually. If that works you can at least get by until you can get a new switch.

I did have a terminal that had a small bit of melting starting but nothing too terrible, I think it was the rear corner of the large connector.

[gadget73]

I've always sort of wondered if it wouldn't be smart to put a relay in to run the parking lights, just to take the load off the headlight switch. A lot of consideration is given to the headlamps themselves but when you add up all the bulbs around the car that are on with the parking lights, thats a fair bit of current.

[VicCrownVic]

Yeah that's what my buddy did with his 80something (not sure what year) Monte Carlo. He set it up with relays to take the load off of the switch. He says it works well and told me I should do the same with my '91 MGM after I was telling him about how the headlights would randomly cut out with the old switch before I replaced it.
He also converted the headlights to HID, at least I think it was HID. Lucky me, he had a whole set of head lights, high and low beams, unopened (I forget why), that he gave me (free!) because he had no use for them any longer. Now I have nice glass instead of ugly dingy plastic lenses on the high beams.

[GM_Guy]

Or this;

[capri755]

the switch was also melted

[marquisman]

looks like you need a new connector and switch. Time for headlight relays!

[VicCrownVic]

looks like you need a new connector and switch. Time for headlight relays!

capri755, good to see you found the problem, that looks worse then GM_Guys pic. Luckily my 89 was nothing compared to either of those, but I'm sure it's on its way there.
As far as the connector goes GM_Guy had tip on that here, and has replaced it himself.

Along with 3G conversion for the 91 MGM, headlight relays should be my New Years Resolution.

This: Headlight Relays looks like a good start for headlight relays.
Unlike 3G conversion I haven't done much research on this yet but I'm sure there is more info on here somewhere for this topic.

[gabegt90]

yup same thing happend to me new connector and wire spade for the parking lights and all good

[pantera77]

We've all been there.
The 89


I lost just the headlamps on my 87, turns out it was the connector for the multifunction switch.

[sly]

I did the relays before mine went... so it hasn't gone at all. but I had the blower resistor nuke itself...

[tjc78]

I guess when I had my boxes, they weren't old enough to start having these issues. I did replace the headlight switch on the 89 MGM, but nothing looked like that it. If/when I get another box, relay upgrade will happen (along with 3G alt!)

[capri755]

thanks for all the references guys, I've started looking into relays but for the moment I just replaced the connector and switch so I can keep driving haha

[marquisman]

Well, atleast your able to drive, for the time being. Im not 100% on this but, I think most of these electrical issues come from poor alt output, especially at idle. Low amperage and draw demand cause heat. Just like cranking over a starter for a long period, with a low battery. Connections will get hot and burn. Same goes for poor/loose connections. This is why when I first start the car and let it warm up, I dont go cranking on all accessories like headlights, hi-fan speed and defrost, all at the same time.