Fuse keeps popping

foxmustangman · Jun 15, 2010

For some reason my dashlights keep going out. If i put in a new fuse it blows 30 seconds later. I've tried 10a and 15a and they both blow also. It started when i hit a bump at a gas station and the lights went out. Has this happened to anyone else? Is there a way to fix or bypass this? Its obviously shorting out somewhere but i just can't fix it. Thanks for any input

jrichker · Jun 15, 2010

First of all, NEVER use a fuse larger than stock for a circuit. The purpose of a fuse is to protect the wiring and keep it from catching on fire and burning up your car.

Throubleshooting circuits that blow fuses requires that you disconnect one item at a time from the failing circuit. That helps elminate the good from the bad. Disconnect an item from the circuit that blows the fuse and if it still blows the fuse, you know that it wasn't the culprit. Keep disconnecting things until it stops blowing fuses. When it does stop, the last item you disconnected is the most likely source of your problem.

Do you have any aftermarket gauges that are lighted? If so, disconnect them and see if the fuse keeps blowing.

Do you any any other add on items that use electricity? Sometimes people will grab the first wire they can find that has has power and use it to power other things. It is easy to become the victim of the previous owner's efforts.

Stever89 · Jun 15, 2010

+1 on the aftermarket gauge lamps.

To add to this, your dash light circuitry may have other things like side markers, license plate lamps, etc. You'll need to work them individually to rule them out.

What's happening is the fuse is blowing because of too much current flow in that circuit. That's happening because somewhere in that circuit, 12V is touching ground.

foxmustangman · Jun 15, 2010

I do have an aftermarket boost gauge but it's been in there for over a year before this happened. And is it weird that it takes 30 seconds for the fuse to blow after i turn the lights on or is that how these things usually happen?

foxmustangman · Jun 15, 2010

could it be a problem with the computer?

jrichker · Jun 16, 2010

foxmustangman said:
could it be a problem with the computer?

The computer isn't the problem: it has nothing to do with the lights.

Stever89 · Jun 16, 2010

foxmustangman said:
I do have an aftermarket boost gauge but it's been in there for over a year before this happened. And is it weird that it takes 30 seconds for the fuse to blow after i turn the lights on or is that how these things usually happen?

Normally a fuse pops as soon as you flip a switch. In your situation, something's just barely exceeding the current rating on your fuse. Sounds like a bad connection, with corrosion or oxidation heating up and building resistance until the current draw finally blows the fuse. I'd unplug and re-plug every bulb and connector I could get to. Good luck

foxmustangman · Jun 16, 2010

jrichker said:
The computer isn't the problem: it has nothing to do with the lights.

I figured I'd ask.

Stever89 said:
Normally a fuse pops as soon as you flip a switch. In your situation, something's just barely exceeding the current rating on your fuse. Sounds like a bad connection, with corrosion or oxidation heating up and building resistance until the current draw finally blows the fuse. I'd unplug and re-plug every bulb and connector I could get to. Good luck

Ugh, sounds like fun. I hate taking that dash apart. Thanks.

Stever89 · Jun 17, 2010

foxmustangman said:
I figured I'd ask.

Ugh, sounds like fun. I hate taking that dash apart. Thanks.

Start with easier stuff, tail lights, side markers, running lights. Anything on that circuit.

ill advised · Jun 17, 2010

Ugh! Electrical gremlins are the worst.

Is your car back up and running? How's the AOD holding up?

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