Taillight fuse blowing..tough one to figure out!

[nigelsiam]

Hope someone might be able to figure this one out. My dash lights weren't working so I checked the fuse (it's good) took the dimmer switch off (seems good) then I noticed my 15amp fuse for the taillights was blown. I guess the dash lights won't work unless the taillights work. I put another one in and it blew too (when I turned the lights on) I thought it could be the trailer wiring (seemed good). Checked all the wiring and bulbs in the back..they are good. I disconnected them and I am still getting voltage across the fuse slot. The only thing I can think of is that it happened after I put a new microphone in my aftermarket radio. I checked it and I found the dimmer wire was grounding to the radio...so I thought YES!!! That's it!!! One would think....
but it still is shorting out!!! It's a green wire with grey spots that runs through that fuse for the tailights but it's also the same wire that runs all over the car for dimming purposes as well. Finding the short seems impossible!!! You would think the fuse would blow when the dimmer wire grounded out on the stereo and that would be the end of it...just replace the fuse. But I can't think of anything else to do....HELP PLEASE
I am stuck in Colorado with this at the moment. Luckily at a friend's house trying to figure it out.

Thank you!!

 

[nagrom46]

Had a fuse issue with mine and traced it to the damaged wire that runs from driver to passenger side under the stainless cover by tailgate.

 

[nigelsiam]

Had a fuse issue with mine and traced it to the damaged wire that runs from driver to passenger side under the stainless cover by tailgate.

What method did you use to finally trace it? Was it the same color coded wire? Green with grey spots?

 

[nagrom46]

I started where the trailer wiring terminated and just traced it back looking for damage as that’s what I’ve read caused a lot of problems. I can’t remember what color the wire but that sounds right. There’s only one wire that runs under that cover

 

[nigelsiam]

I started where the trailer wiring terminated and just traced it back looking for damage as that’s what I’ve read caused a lot of problems. I can’t remember what color the wire but that sounds right. There’s only one wire that runs under that cover

I will check it out. Otramm just mentioned this too. Maybe I was focusing on the radio thing too much . Thanks!

 

[alia176]

Sounds like you're on a road trip so things are more rushed but when you can, get a set of these and toss them inside for troubleshooting this exact thing. This will save you from going through fuse after fuse in frustrations! Amazon.com: ZOOKOTO 6pcs 5A 10A 15A 20A 25A 30A Circuit Breaker Blade Fuse E39K (T3) Manual Reset Fuse for Car Truck RV Automotive Marine Boat Trolling Motor & Custom Wiring Audio Battery Protection (Mixed : Automotive - https://a.co/d/eMOFpcu

If you suspect something with the tail light, a good rule of thumb is to remove both front marker/blinker and rear tail light assemblies from the 80. Now see if the fuse blows. Sometimes one of the bulbs can cause a short to ground, which blows fuses! If it still blows, then start with any trailer taillight converter box. Try removing it from the system and re-check.

 

[nigelsiam]

Sounds like you're on a road trip so things are more rushed but when you can, get a set of these and toss them inside for troubleshooting this exact thing. This will save you from going through fuse after fuse in frustrations! Amazon.com: ZOOKOTO 6pcs 5A 10A 15A 20A 25A 30A Circuit Breaker Blade Fuse E39K (T3) Manual Reset Fuse for Car Truck RV Automotive Marine Boat Trolling Motor & Custom Wiring Audio Battery Protection (Mixed : Automotive - https://a.co/d/eMOFpcu

If you suspect something with the tail light, a good rule of thumb is to remove both front marker/blinker and rear tail light assemblies from the 80. Now see if the fuse blows. Sometimes one of the bulbs can cause a short to ground, which blows fuses! If it still blows, then start with any trailer taillight converter box. Try removing it from the system and re-check.

thanks...those are cool. I disconnected the marker lights in the front, the rear taillights and even just disconnected the harness in the back that runs on the driver's side and still I am getting 12v across the fuse for "taillights".
This is a tough one!

 

[alia176]

thanks...those are cool. I disconnected the marker lights in the front, the rear taillights and even just disconnected the harness in the back that runs on the driver's side and still I am getting 12v across the fuse for "taillights".
This is a tough one!

can you show us a picture of this fuse and how/where are you measuring the voltage pls?

 

[nagrom46]

In case you weren’t aware, under the resource section, you can find the electrical wiring diagram to help you as well