I need some serious help. My tail, indash and shifter lights won't turn on. I replaced the fuse and it caught fire. I don't know whats happening, the car was fine until last night where the car was working perfecting and then the fuse caught on fire. When I pull the light switch, the tail light fuse heats up and burns. It had blown the tail light fuse before but it got fix, now it gets on fire. Need help!

 

Well, its definately a short somewhere...


Only god could tell you where though!

I think you have a very long tedious process to go through now...

 

Use a test light in place of the fuse and start disconecting stuff till the light goes out. Then youll have the location of the short narrowed down. From there itll be a good ole fashined inspection of the wiring harness.

 

generally you start by doing a visual check of wires that could more likely have gotten pinched or moved like the tail lamp wires and socket and bulb problems. then you start checking into other areas

 

Use dankhound's advice. You have a dead short to ground. Using a test light across the fuse ends will illuminate the test light (cheaper than blowing fuses & safer than putting out fires). As soon as you find the problem wire, light socket or electrical device, the light will go out. I don't understand how you ended up with fire unless you upped the amperage on the fuse - we all know that is a no-no. You can also use a jumper wire with a same amperage circuit breaker across the fuse terminals. You will have to do some good old fashion detective work to find the electrical short to ground.
Check places where wires are moving first - door jambs, rear hatch, console etc...
Good Luck & keep a fire extinguisher handy,
Corky

 

Thanks for all yall help. Seems that the car's factory radio wires were melted. Seem that the old head unit I had might have heated up the wires and burn them. Which then lead to them ground and cause the short circuit.