<VV> Blowing fuses

[Jim Becker]

What kind of a 12-volt circuit do you think is going to blow a 12-volt bulb? 
I defy you to draw a circuit diagram that does that.

Yes, this fuse feeds a connection to the headlight switch.  If the fuse was 
downstream of the tail light contacts in that switch, everything on that 
fuse would go on and off with the tail lights.  I'm pretty sure the tail 
lights don't have to be on for the clock or dome lights to work.

I suggest you go study Ohm's law for a while.  If you get that figured out, 
you might want to look at a Corvair wiring diagram.

Jim Becker

-----Original Message----- 
From: Hugo Miller via VirtualVairs
Sent: Sunday, May 03, 2020 3:41 PM
To: virtualvairs at corvair.org
Subject: Re:  Blowing fuses

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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