<VV> Blowing fuses

[Hugo Miller]

Haha if your test lamp lights up, all it means is there is current 
flowing. If there is a dead short, you will blowing test bulbs instead 
of fuses ;)
That fuse doesn't feed the light switch, does it? The tail light fuse 
has to be downstream of the light switch, surely?

On 2020-05-03 20:28, Jim Becker via VirtualVairs wrote:
> First thing, I would probably hook a test lamp across the blown fuse.
> That will save a whole pile of blown fuses.  Any time it lights, a
> fuse would have blown.
>
> Cursory inspection of exposed wires isn't likely to find anything.
> If there is damaged wire insulation, it will probably be due to a
> pinched wire in some obscure location.  Additionally, I don't believe
> any engine compartment wires powered through that fuse will be hot
> unless the brake lights or tail lights are on.  Likewise, the problem
> is unlikely to be anywhere downstream of a properly working switch in
> the off position.
>
> Isolating parts of the circuits that are powered by the fuse will
> narrow down the area to look.  The first suspect on my list is the
> headlight switch.  Heat from the headlight circuit breaker can damage
> both plastic parts and contacts.  So remove and unplug the switch.
> Just removing the switch so the switch frame isn't grounded may stop
> the fuse from blowing. If it still blows, unplug the switch.  If it
> still blows, the trouble could be in the dome lights etc. circuits.
> If the removing or unplugging made the fuses quit blowing, it was
> almost certainly the switch.
>
> Jim Becker
>
> -----Original Message----- From: Kent Goddard via VirtualVairs
> Sent: Sunday, May 03, 2020 12:12 PM
> To: virtualvairs at corvair.org
> Subject:  Blowing fuses
>
> The 10 amp fuse protecting the tail/brake lamps, glove box and
> courtesy lamps and clock (etc?) in my '66 Corsa blows upon insertion,
> even with lamps off.  My level of electrical expertise is low, but it
> sounds like a direct short to ground.  I've done a cursory inspection
> of exposed wiring in the engine compartment and under the dash and
> haven't found any damaged insulation. Any suggestions of most likely
> problem areas that I should investigate first??  Thanks.
>
> Kent G
> St. Louis, MO
>
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