Fuse 8 blows

[shocruzin]

Fuse 8 just keeps blowing. It sporatically blew a couple times in the past. Once about 30 secs after I started my car and threw the high beams on. This time, all I can remember doing was trying to switch from CD to tuner on the head unit right after start up.
The problem is now, I can't even get a new fuse (yes, a number 15 fuse) in without it sparking and blowing immediately. The only thing I can think of is that I had a new Apline deck installed about 6-8 months ago...Would the installation of the unit have anything to do with it? Thanks for any help.

<small>[ April 16, 2003, 10:58 AM: Message edited by: shocruzin ]</small>

 

[projectSHO89]

Troubleshooting a short circuit will give you gray hair.

The only thing you can do if a visual inspection does not find the fault is to connect an ohmmeter and start dissecting the circuit by unplugging connectors and loads and if needed, cutting wires until you find the branch circuit with the fault.

Good luck, you'll need it.

Steve

 

[shocruzin]

That is not an answer I like to hear. I just pulled the stereo from my sister's wrecked sable today, which if i remember was installed by Best Buy, and it was the neatest install possible (wires cable tied, caps on all connections). The install (by Circiut City) in the SHO is a mess compared...taped connections, wires everywhere, everything just stuffed back behind the stereo.

Here's my question since I'm not too good on electrical stuff:
Could the result of this crappy install be causing this fuse situation 7 months later? If it is, the things heading back to Circuit City and I'll see if they'll take care of it? If they tell me to beat it, I'm thinking of a reinstall at Best Buy. I only want to do this if someone thinks this might be the primary reason for the problem. If it might be something else, I guess the grey hairs before 21 is happening.

 

[jelloslug]

Well if you are blowing fuses the only thing it could be is a short. If the only thing that has changed in your car is the radio. The first thing I would do is disconnect the radio and see if that fixes the problem. Then I would inspect the wires that go to the particular circuit to check for places that they could short to ground.

 

[shocruzin]

I pulled the stereo (I should of thought of that before headbang ) and wouldn't you know it, I got my keyless, power locks, and interior lights to work again. I'm gonna head to Cir. City to see if they'll take care of the stereo problem side of things considering it most likely is install related. Thanks guys for the help.

 

[rangerj]

I'm glad i'm not the only one that feels that way about fuse 8!

 

[haydenm315]

rangerj:
I'm glad i'm not the only one that feels that way about fuse 8!

Dude!!!!! I'm only a few months behind. Fuse 8 wont' last for a split second on a replacement. It blew on me as I was coming home today out of nowhere. I wasn't adjusting anything and my radio was playing at a low level. It turned off and never came back on. As soon as I plug it in, the thing craps out. I really hate getting under the dash at the wires. It's freaking uncomfortable as all ****. Maybe I'll just take out the front seat. I'm going back outside to keep plugging away. I wish I had that snap on short finder.

 

[shocruzin]

My short was in the trunk area somewhere...I took the car to a local electrical repair shop...$250 and it was fixed. After driving for a couple weeks with no music, the $250 was well worth it.

 

[haydenm315]

shocruzin:
My short was in the trunk area somewhere...I took the car to a local electrical repair shop...$250 and it was fixed. After driving for a couple weeks with no music, the $250 was well worth it.

It wasn't too bad. I just kept confidence with ford and blamed the problem on myself and my work. By elimitating and checking all of the things I did, the problem was quite obvious. The helms helped me by describing the circuit in question. I traced the trunk light wires and found the pinch almost immediately. Initially I thought it was under the dash or behind the radio. I removed my head unit and wire harness to reduce some simple possibilities. No more popping fuse 8. thumb