02 EX 4 Cyl Light System/Tail Light Malfunction Help Needed
 

Folks, we have an 02 Accord EX 4 cylinder coupe. We have access to the shop manual on line and have seen the various troubleshooting for other light failures.

The headlights do not come unless the ignition switch is on.
Taillights (running) do not come on at any time.
Interior lights/ dash do not come on.
Radio does not come on.
Power locks do not work. .
ABS system warning light stays on.

Car runs fine.
All fuses throughout the car (underhood, driver side, passenger side) are all good. No fuses blown or replaced. all checked and wire brushed for good measure.
Brakes, turn signals, hazards, all work OK.
Power sunroof, windows, work OK.

The passenger side fuse box receptacles are hot (12.4V), except for No. 13 reads 9.8 V (?!). Nos. 9,10,11,12 all read 0 V.

We had this car idle for a few months and replaced the timing belt during that time.
The main relay/fuse box was disconnected at one time, but that is only a couple of screw connections.
The only ground removed was the driver's side by the engine mount for the TB job.

Thanks for any help/advise on this one.

The #54 fuse 40 amp fuse in the engine bay fuse box protects fuses 9-13 in the passenger fuse box. Sounds like you have an electrical issue somewhere in that circuit. Any components (fuse box, fuse, wiring, etc) can be the actual culprit, so you need to narrow down the culprits.

The easiest test is to swap 40 amp fuses with one nearby in that fuse box to see if the fuse is the issue.

To start with electrical testing, check for voltage using a volt meter on the #54 fuse box terminal with that fuse removed. Next, connect a test light from the hot side pin in the fuse box to a good ground to see if that side of the circuit can carry current. You'll need a light that requires a decent amount of current, so an old headlight bulb should be sufficient.