Hey guys

i have a pretty big problem with one of my fuse sockets( the ACC socket) in my 1984 Trans AM. its linked to the power windows, power locks, horn, and interior lights. every time i put the right amped fuse in it (20) it would blow instantly and even spark! i finally i was frustrated and put a piece of metal warped in electrical tape into the socket with some sparks (not before learning that paper clips suck and melt). it worked but my lights (all of them inside and out) would flash or dim when the car ran. so i bit the bullet and put another 20 amp fuse in with no sparks or instant fuse blow out. it managed to last the entire day before blowing out like an hour ago forcing me to put that red neck fuse back in so my horn would work (people in my town drive like a*s holes) now i'm stuck with the same issue. I believe it might be the aftermarket 80's alpine radio in there since the wiring was pretty bad and seems to take a lot of juice to power. i recently managed to get it to work properly without rewiring it so i left it at that.

as an added note, its also been blowing fuses in the same socket (not often) since i go it last summer. i was wondering what i can do before this red neck fuse i made short out my whole electrical grid. should i put a heavier fuse in there? should i do something more critical and costly????


thanks guys

 

Do not put a heavier fuse in. One of the accessories on that circuit is grounding out.
It could even be a problem with that slot in the fuse box.
One of the first things to check is the cigarette lighter. They are notorious for going bad. Unplug it and see if the problem persists.
Another possible test is unplug all the accessories, and replace the fuse. If it doesn't immediately blow, start plugging stuff in until it does, then address that accessory.
Of course you can test the various wiring for continuity, etc, but I don't have enough experience in that to guide you to where to start.

 

Thanks! its a start, but at least i know where to start. i think you may be on to something since i recently started letting my friends smoke in my car so the cigarette lighter might be to blame, especially since its the original one.

 

HI. I would check or trace the wires of the accessories you named to see it there are any damage the wires. There might be a section that is not insulated (exposing the wire and touching metal) and causing it to short and blow out your fuse. Are you using an accessory when the fuse blows out?

 

Not at all. when i even unplugged the radio since it was wired pretty horribly and was my first thought thought for a accesroy with a wire or 2 grounding out and the fuses i put in still blew

 

I agree with Zane M about the cigarette lighter. It happened to me before in a different car. Check the wire behind the cigarette lighter and the ground for it. Also, I would check the horn wire and ground located on the drivers side fender behind the headlight. These are sometimes the most susceptible to problems. And check the door jamb wires. Please inform of any find in the wiring system that may be damaged.

 

Okay, now the piece of metal I was using as a fuse even blew! It was pretty thick, so how did it manage to blow?? Can the cigarette lighter really do something like that?? I really don't want to take it to a repair shop