Like the title says, I am new here and I own a Saturn Vue. I'll be honest here and tell you all that I really don't like the Saturn Vue. Its paint color is horrible and the drivers seat feels like I'm a little kid when I drive it. I don't like the electric steering and it's oil filter is really messed up when it comes to taking the lid off. Bad placement and someone was trying to re-invent the wheel, it seems. I only own the vehicle because my girlfriends daughter moved out of state and couldnt take it with her so we bought it for a grand. And now we are all caught up to date.
I really could use some help because we've decided to sell it and I went out to start it and once I started it, I turned on the headlights. The headlights came on, but the tail lights and dash lights did not. I found where the fuse for the tail lights was and replaced it as it had blown. Once I turned on the headlights, I could here the fuse pop. I've started looking for the culprit, but it could be anything or anywhere, so I figured I'd ask other owners who may have had this issue, where to start looking. Or if there's something that is known to cause this problem. Thanks for any kind of a push in the right direction. I promise not to just skip out on everyone if and when I get the issue resolved. Thanks again, in advance.

 

While I'm NOT a mechanic and know absolutely NOTHING about the Vue, it sounds to me like a defective headlight switch or a bad ground somewhere. I'm sure someone with more experience and knowledge about the Vue will respond soon.

 

Year, engine, and trim ( if redline or XR/XE if 2008 or later

 

All that I know about it is it's a 2002 Saturn Vue it has a 2liter 4 cylinder and it's AWD. It has now badge as far as the trim level and since its got manual windows and nothing fancy, I'm going to have to say that it's a base model.

 

When you turned the headlights on and heard the fuse pop, did the headlights stay on or did they turn off?

 

The headlights stayed on and work. The blinkers and hazards work front and back. Brake lights work i don't know if the license plate light works but I can check in a minute. The dome light works, also, if that helps. I recently had to replace the hazard switch, as it was clicking incessantly. It functioned correctly, but the clicking was enough to drive a saint to drinking. (If they weren't already) Anyways, I'm stumped. I have the tail light assemblies unplugged and I'm going to put a new fuse in and see what happens. Scratch that. I'm going to leave one unplugged and try it and if need be, I'll try unplugging the other one if it blows and do it again.

 

The tail lights and the clearance lights will be on the same fuse, the problem may be in the front also.

 

Yes. The front marker lights don't come on either. I don't know where to check. Unless it's the headlights switch itself. I have no idea where to look or what to try.

 

Shorts in lighting circuits can be difficult to diagnose. There are several lights on that one fuse. Running lights in front and rear including the license plate light and the dash lights. It appears that they have not worked since you got the car. Does the car appear to have and damage near any of the exterior lights? Does the car have a new stereo in it, there is a light function in the factory radio harness. Trying to find a starting point for you.

 

Here are screenshots of the schematics. Some may not come into play but are included for completeness and to aid in understanding how the entire system works.