Keeps blowing a fuse
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 19,610
Likes: 778
From: Forked River NJ
Keeps blowing a fuse
My dash lights keep blowing a fuse. It is not immediate but it does blow. After about 5 minutes of driving with the lights on the fuse blows. Happened the last 3 times I have had the car out at night. ????
Racer
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 289
Likes: 0
From: Spokane WA
You've got a short somewhere in the dash lights. It's probably not a solid dead short. more likely a wire thats got a worn spot on the insulation or something similar that is resting against or near a ground point. A little vibration and it contacts, blowing the fuse.
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 16,528
Likes: 53
From: Dayton, Ohio
Or your on the edge of having too much load on the circuit.Say 4.9amps on a 5amp fuse. Are you running larger bulbs or add something on to the circuit?
You can test the load right at the fuse connector
You can test the load right at the fuse connector
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 19,610
Likes: 778
From: Forked River NJ
Dead short now. Just tried a fuse and it went immediatly. No other added wires or lights to the circuit and they are all stock bulbs. I'll try theconsole first since it is the easiest to get to. 
I think I got lucky. The light for the heater/defrost/blower fan was loose. I bent the little tangs out slightly for a tighter fit. New fuse and the inst. lights stay on. I'll try it the next time I'm out for a night ride to see if they stay on.
I think I got lucky. The light for the heater/defrost/blower fan was loose. I bent the little tangs out slightly for a tighter fit. New fuse and the inst. lights stay on. I'll try it the next time I'm out for a night ride to see if they stay on.
Last edited by Gordonm; Jul 28, 2008 at 04:02 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 21,953
Likes: 1,445
From: Reno Nevada
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
Here at work we just wrap aluminum foil around the burnt fuse and then just look and smell for the source of smoke.
You probably have a short. Get a Vette wiring schematic and and meter with sharp points. I would first unplug the bulbs and see if it blows. If it does you have a short on the positive lead
You probably have a short. Get a Vette wiring schematic and and meter with sharp points. I would first unplug the bulbs and see if it blows. If it does you have a short on the positive lead
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 3,547
Likes: 12
From: Carbondale Pa.
[QUOTE=gkull;1566488276]Here at work we just wrap aluminum foil around the burnt fuse and then just look and smell for the source of smoke.
When I worked in a Chevrolet dealer parts dept. there was a old time long time (since the '30's) mechanic who used this method all the time, but you needed to be quick ,,,
Peace,,,Moosie 
When I worked in a Chevrolet dealer parts dept. there was a old time long time (since the '30's) mechanic who used this method all the time, but you needed to be quick ,,,
Peace,,,Moosie
