No tail lights, dash lights

The number 17 fuse blows (20 amp) immediately when I turn the lights on. This controls the parking lights and the dash lights. The headlights work along with the brake lights, the dome light, turn-signals, etc. Can anyone give me an idea where to start?

You need to look for the short. Hook up a circuit breaker in there and start unpluging and looking around.
Also you might check the cig lighter some are on same circuit.
Tail light Bulbs and license plate lights bulbs can also short. HAS IT GOT A TRAILER LIGHT PLUG ON IT?
MT

You need to look for the short. Hook up a circuit breaker in there and start unpluging and looking around.
Also you might check the cig lighter some are on same circuit.
Tail light Bulbs and license plate lights bulbs can also short. HAS IT GOT A TRAILER LIGHT PLUG ON IT?
MT

It doesn't have a trailer plug. Hook a circuit breaker to where?

In the fuse holder that or where the fuse is blowing.
Also any aftermarket radio. They are hooked to dash lights to.
MT

In the fuse holder that or where the fuse is blowing.
Also any aftermarket radio. They are hooked to dash lights to.
MT

OK MT, I'll give it a try. I'll let you know. Thanks!!!

You did not specify what year,so I'll pass on some info for an 89'...
In the lower left corner of the fuse panel,there is a module.It's called a chime module.It controls:
seat belt BUZZER
lights on BUZZER
key in igtn BUZZER
The module has been known to short out,and since it is wired through the lighting system it will pop the instrument panel fuse...which for some unkknown reason means:
no tail lights
no instrument panel lights.
The module can be removed without any problems.
To remove it,you may have to push the left kick panel in a little to see the release tab.Pull the module,put a new fuse in and you should be good to go.

OK MT, I found the problem. It was a short behind an aftermarket radio. One of wires was shorting to ground. It caused my tail lights, front marker lights, license plate light and high mount stop light to all blow the bulbs. And of course the 20 amp fuse was also blowing. Thank God! Thank you for your help. I really appreciate it. Tom

Thanks for the heads-up on the chime modual, Stick89. I'll file that away for future reference.

You are welcome Tom .
We are glad you got it fixed and all is well.
And thanks for letting us know how it went.
MT