CVR_Rally

As it was a bit warm today here in CT I decided I'd try to track down the reason why my fuse for the interior light/cig/clock immediately blows when replaced. Clearly somewhere there is a short to ground.

I started with removing the components. With the dome light, clock panel, and switches removed it still is shorting to ground. My initial guess was the cig lighter but again with everything disconnected it still blows. This kind of short makes it difficult to figure out where the problem is as no matter what connector you test you're going to get continuity to ground.

Has anyone else experienced this and found a resolution? None of these components are truly necessary as it is going to just be a DE car but I do drive it on the street and would like it actually working...especially something that would seem as simple as this.

Chris

EDIT:
I've read just now that this might be the chime? The fuse diagram does say this but I get a chime when starting the car so still at a loss.

Oops this is an 87 S

odonnell

Is it an early or late car? If early, a lot of the stuff behind the dash is also on that circuit. Radio, gas mileage gauge, and a couple other things in addition to what you mentioned. Are you positive you're using the correct rated fuse?

CVR_Rally

It is an 87 S. I thought I put that in and have corrected it.

944Ross

Has anyone tapped into that circuit, like for an aftermarket stereo? All you can do is get under the dash and try to follow the main from the fusebox.

NoRush993/951

Check the glove box light to make sure those wires aren't touching the metal bracket that holds the glove box in place. I blew that fuse a couple times before remembering to pull it before taking the glove box out.

william_b_noble

I will bet you a cup of coffee that the cigarette lighter has been allowed to overheat. At the back of the lighter there is a plastic disk that softens when too hot, and a square with bent pointy edges that then penetrates the disk and shorts out the lighter (to prevent your car from burning up). Try disconnecting the lighter first.

I know about this because it happened to me when I ran the factory supplied tire pump to pump up the inflatable spare.

CVR_Rally

Thanks for the tips guys. Unfortunately, as I mentioned earlier I had everything disconnected from the circuit (glove box removed and disconnected, cig lighter, clock removed and disconnected, dome and trunk lights disconnected) and it still is shorting. I too thought for sure it was the cig ligter before I pulled it apart.

Chris

EDIT:

Luckily I have a wiring diagram that I printed and taped together to show the complete layout. At some point I'll go through everything and see where I really am getting a short. It may be a while till I go back in there but I'll update the thread once I discover it.

Kirk944

On my 83 I had the wires for my interior light get wet because my sunroof had a small leak. They fried the insulation off the wires and grounded out. Try popping your light out and checking the insulation