On my 84 I have a short or something to my clk/str fuse in the fuse box.. It runs my radio, horn, and interior lights... Every time I stick a 30 fuse in it pops immediatley.. I was told it was a simple fix but I don't have the foggiest idea of where to start or how to go about fixing the problem..

 

If memory serves that fuse also powers the cigarette lighter & thats the first place I would check & disconnect.

Otherwise disconnect each circuit & try to isolate the circuit thats causing the problem then trace the wiring or check the operation of the particular device.

 

I don't see a fuse labled "clk/str". I do see one labled, "CTSY/CLK" (courtesy/clock). It is the second fuse from the left in the top row. It would appear your problem is severe, as that position should be protected by a 15 amp fuse. If a 30 amp fuse "pops immediatley" the short is direct, which ought to make it easier to locate than something more subtitle. That fuse protects the wiring to, the center information cluster, the under hood lights, the horn relay, courtesy lights, map light, power door lock switches, clock, warning chime for key and head lights, dome light timer, spare tire light, power antenna relay, rear hatch are lights, cigarette lighter, console compartment light, and the vanity mirror light.

If I had this problem, I would try to remember what if anything didn't work before the fuses started blowing. After those were checked out, pick an item on the list and go after each one, one by one until you trip over the problem. Electrical work isn't so expensive because it is difficult. It is expensive because it is time consuming, labor intensive. The repair may only require 3" of electrical tape to fix, but there may be many hours of diagnostics in finding where to apply that tape. Be sure as you fix the problem that you correct what ever caused it. You need a DVOM and a FSM would be a great asset, also.

RACE ON!!!

 

Check the cigarette lighter socket for metalic foreign objects. Also try removing anything plugged into the cigarette lighter socket, including the lighter itself.

 

the lighter isn't 30 amps. usually 20.

but you need the FSM to start searching.

 

Look in the lighter, then if not check out at the horn, and then the radio. Memory recall, I remember my parents had a 85 Olds that I drove when I first started driving that had issue with the cig lighter, disconnect it.

 

i know this will sound wierd but my friend hit a bump in his car(not a corvette) and a dime got stuck in the lighter and it shorted out haha... so check that out just in case