ma61 light problems....

[Robbos_Toyotas]

Hey guys, well heres the deal - my ma61 i just bought has never had the pop up lights working since i bought it, yet the headllights still worked (they turned on). Now ive checked the motors running directly off the battery - they work fine. Ive tried replacing the retractor control relay off my old ma61 (which the headlights def worked on) no difference - checked fuses, head light relay.
Now today i went out to try and nut it out some more and tried to turn the head lights on via the stalk on the steering column - blows the "taillight"fuse immediately, and no lights whatsoever come on....
Another thing, being related or not i have no idea is the dash lights come on when you just have ignition on, as soon as u get in the car and start driving they cut out, so you cant read any instruments...
Anyone have any suggestions or know a good auto lecky?
Thanks
Blake

[kickstartRA28]

Probably something silly & stupid auto elec would be way too go

[TRD-12A]

has it got an aftermarket stereo in it??
If so i've seen it so many times where they run the earth wire to the taillight circuit cause when the lights are off it's a good earth but once you turn them on it blows the fuse cause the stereo is earthing it out.
Otherwise an auto elec would be the way to go

[thechuckster]

blake, you've possibly got a short in the light power circuit somewhere - basically, the un-switched power that goes to the headlight and park-light relays.

to confirm this:, if you removed the park light and dash light fuses, the headlight fuses will also pop.

you could have also disconnected the earth to the cluster somehow - when you have ign on, but engien not running, the dash is earthing via the Alt sense light, but as you get engine running, the Alt light is not longer a earth.

[Robbos_Toyotas]

now the headlights turn on, but wont pop up or down...havent changed the taillight fuse yet so dont know if thats still an issue....

[H1TMAN]

It could be the small relay panel, the one that the rear / front light relays sit on.
After going through my old XX it was the only thing that could possibly be wrong, that panel is also a small circuit. Might be worth getting your hands on another, That or auto sparky.