Electrical problem

[terranosaurusdoug]

When I turn my side lights on the fuse blows immediately, just the sidelights along with the instrument lights, head, fog indicators etc. are fine. Its a 10a fuse located in a box in the engine bay, it blows 15a fuses too but not 20a ones, when I put a 20a fuse in the lights come on but very dim, I don't do that for long though.
First I thought I had a problem with the rears as they are constantly breaking but I'm pretty sure I've sorted them now, I'm going to disconnect them for the next rounds of tests to be sure.
I followed some wires yesterday hoping to find a relay but I could not, I think the wire comes out of a large white multi plug located above accelerator pedal.

Any help would be greatly appreciated, this has gotten me a bit down now, I struggle with electrics and the diagrams in the downloads might as well be alien hyroglyphs :doh

Thanks guys!

 

[macabethiel]

Side light blowing fuse ?

My first thoughts are have you changed any bulbs recently or do you have a tow bar socket ?

As you are thinking take the rear lights out of the equation first if you have been working on them. Yhen look at tow bar wiring.

Lastly has anyone fitted any additional lighting such as LED light bars to power a relay or similar and used the side light circuit for power?

 

[terranosaurusdoug]

My first thoughts are have you changed any bulbs recently or do you have a tow bar socket ?

As you are thinking take the rear lights out of the equation first if you have been working on them. Yhen look at tow bar wiring.

Lastly has anyone fitted any additional lighting such as LED light bars to power a relay or similar and used the side light circuit for power?

I haven't checked tow bar wiring, totally forgot, Thanks :thumb2

I did have some led bulbs in the front but have removed them, just got back from cinema, going to have a look at tow bar wiring!

 

[terranosaurusdoug]

Right then, I've had another play and had some success. First thing I did was put a fresh fuse in and the lights worked....until I shut the drivers door that is! I thought it did the same yesterday but wasn't sure. I had already figured out what wire it was yesterday so I lifted the carpet at side of drivers seat and the plastic cover to get to it there. I cut it, joined a temp wire to the rear, cut and joined at the rear and hey presto

The bulk of the wires that come from near the accelerator pedal, including the rear sidelight power, go down the side of footwell and then UNDER the drivers seat, some carry on to the rear along with antenna wire.
So the rear sidelight power wire goes under drivers seat, under arm rest, under passenger seat and then to the rear lights, the main plug for rear lights is on n/s.

I didn't dancy stripping that lot out

I'm gonna get some correct size wire tomorrow from work and in next couple of days find a nice route for a new wire :thumbs

 

[macabethiel]

Well done !

Right then, I've had another play and had some success. First thing I did was put a fresh fuse in and the lights worked....until I shut the drivers door that is! I thought it did the same yesterday but wasn't sure. I had already figured out what wire it was yesterday so I lifted the carpet at side of drivers seat and the plastic cover to get to it there. I cut it, joined a temp wire to the rear, cut and joined at the rear and hey presto

The bulk of the wires that come from near the accelerator pedal, including the rear sidelight power, go down the side of footwell and then UNDER the drivers seat, some carry on to the rear along with antenna wire.
So the rear sidelight power wire goes under drivers seat, under arm rest, under passenger seat and then to the rear lights, the main plug for rear lights is on n/s.

I didn't dancy stripping that lot out

I'm gonna get some correct size wire tomorrow from work and in next couple of days find a nice route for a new wire :thumbs

Nice one it is a good feeling to out think car wiring faults !

 

[terranosaurusdoug]

Nice one it is a good feeling to out think car wiring faults !

I'm relieved but I would like to understand it better, I'm going to study the diagrams!