Tail Light Fuse Keeps Blowing. Help Please.

S1MPSONS · 07-21-2008, 09:49 AM

Hey Guys,

My rear tail light fuse keeps blowing and I don't know why. I change it to a new 10amp fuse every couple of weeks and sure enough it dies.

Is there a safe and reasonable fix for this? Perhaps running a different fuse amperage. Are there any other lights or electronics connected to the circuit I could investigate?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

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wrxskier18 · 07-21-2008, 12:02 PM

Have you ever messed with the tail light before for wiring harnesses or the "JDM" mod?

could be a bad ground or something. Try taking the lamp off and checking connections. Do you know how to use a multimeter?

S1MPSONS · 07-21-2008, 12:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wrxskier18

Have you ever messed with the tail light before for wiring harnesses or the "JDM" mod?

could be a bad ground or something. Try taking the lamp off and checking connections. Do you know how to use a multimeter?

I have a cheap multimeter (or volt meter no sure) that I don't really know how to use. What do I do

I know I have a loose ground under the i/c that is supposed to be grounded to the top of the trans housing. I'll fix that and see if that works.

ekw · 07-21-2008, 12:50 PM

do NOT replace it w/ a higher rated fuse.
that fuse may be all that is keeping wiring from burning if you are getting an intermittant dead short.
possibly due to worn insulation, bare or loose wire, etc.

EDIT- (add)
you may do better if this thread gets moved to lighting & electrical.
the gurus there may be able to help you isolate what is on that circuit.

105wrx · 07-21-2008, 02:27 PM

Might want to check and see if there is any condensation in the lamp that is creating the short....

thunder_lizard_1976 · 07-21-2008, 07:50 PM

I recently found on another vehicle, that someone had modified the rear lights.. and the wires themselves were rubbing through/ shorting out on the frame/ body mounts, and blowing the fuses.. Start at the end of the circuit and work your way up..
It might take a while.. but go slowly, and you'll find the problem...

Patience is a virtue... for everything else... there's beer.....

S1MPSONS · 07-22-2008, 01:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 105wrx

Might want to check and see if there is any condensation in the lamp that is creating the short....

There more than likely is moisture in the housing. Is this really a possible cause?

S1MPSONS · 07-22-2008, 01:59 AM

Anyone else have any suggestions or can direct me to a how-to-use a multimeter page?

wrxskier18 · 07-22-2008, 12:04 PM

google? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KzjMIcER4EU

S1MPSONS · 07-23-2008, 09:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wrxskier18

google? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KzjMIcER4EU

Yay! Okay so how do I apply that to my rear tail light circuit? Right now, being that I just changed the fuse, everything is in working order. How will I be able to catch the problem with a multimeter? What should I be measuring? Where on the circuit should I be measuring?

07-21-2008, 09:49 AM	#1
S1MPSONS Scooby Specialist Member#: 90357 Join Date: Jul 2005 Chapter/Region: Tri-State Location: www.HamfistRacing.com / NYC Vehicle: 2006 Corey's EVO & 1993 Mazda RX7	Tail Light Fuse Keeps Blowing. Help Please. Hey Guys, My rear tail light fuse keeps blowing and I don't know why. I change it to a new 10amp fuse every couple of weeks and sure enough it dies. Is there a safe and reasonable fix for this? Perhaps running a different fuse amperage. Are there any other lights or electronics connected to the circuit I could investigate? Any help would be greatly appreciated. * Registered users of the site do not see these ads.

07-21-2008, 12:50 PM	#4
ekw Scooby Specialist Member#: 92141 Join Date: Jul 2005 Chapter/Region: Tri-State Location: in a guardrail near you Vehicle: 2004 WRB STi TiC,RCE Kartboy &Cobb-Jorge tuned	do NOT replace it w/ a higher rated fuse. that fuse may be all that is keeping wiring from burning if you are getting an intermittant dead short. possibly due to worn insulation, bare or loose wire, etc. EDIT- (add) you may do better if this thread gets moved to lighting & electrical. the gurus there may be able to help you isolate what is on that circuit. Last edited by ekw; 07-21-2008 at 12:51 PM. Reason: more info

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07-21-2008, 12:02 PM	#2
wrxskier18 Scooby Specialist Member#: 88005 Join Date: May 2005 Chapter/Region: MAIC Location: Baltimore, MD Vehicle: 2002 WRX PSM GS500	Have you ever messed with the tail light before for wiring harnesses or the "JDM" mod? could be a bad ground or something. Try taking the lamp off and checking connections. Do you know how to use a multimeter?

07-21-2008, 02:27 PM	#5
105wrx * Banned * Member#: 75931 Join Date: Nov 2004 Chapter/Region: SCIC Location: So. Cal -Tustin Vehicle: 2005 hmmm STI? Clark Tuned!	Might want to check and see if there is any condensation in the lamp that is creating the short....

07-21-2008, 07:50 PM	#6
thunder_lizard_1976 Scooby Newbie Member#: 145642 Join Date: Apr 2007 Chapter/Region: Tri-State Location: Barto, PA Vehicle: 2007 WRX Ltd Cuz Chicks Dig The Wagon	I recently found on another vehicle, that someone had modified the rear lights.. and the wires themselves were rubbing through/ shorting out on the frame/ body mounts, and blowing the fuses.. Start at the end of the circuit and work your way up.. It might take a while.. but go slowly, and you'll find the problem... Patience is a virtue... for everything else... there's beer.....

07-22-2008, 01:59 AM	#8
S1MPSONS Scooby Specialist Member#: 90357 Join Date: Jul 2005 Chapter/Region: Tri-State Location: www.HamfistRacing.com / NYC Vehicle: 2006 Corey's EVO & 1993 Mazda RX7	Anyone else have any suggestions or can direct me to a how-to-use a multimeter page?

07-22-2008, 12:04 PM	#9
wrxskier18 Scooby Specialist Member#: 88005 Join Date: May 2005 Chapter/Region: MAIC Location: Baltimore, MD Vehicle: 2002 WRX PSM GS500	google? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KzjMIcER4EU