My fuse for the dash lights is blowing (number 1 - 15amp fuse)

[aussie7]

My fuse for the dash lights is blowing when I turn on the headlights (number 1 - 15amp fuse)

I tried to replace it but the replacement fuse blew as well, I also tried a 20amp fuse which lasted for about 15mins before it blew also

Anyone got any idea what is causing the fuses to blow or how to fix it ?

TIA

[mwemy]

get a wiring diagram and find out what is causing the dash to short out, is there anything youve done to the electrical side of the car before this happened?

[axemurderer101]

obviously there is a short somewhere which you have to find which can be tricky sometimes, i cant remember but does that fuse also power your front and rear parklights? if it does things you can check is the wiring harness to the rear lights which is behind the carpet in the boot, if you have a trailer plug you can check the wiring to that, if you have an aftermarket headunit you could check the wiring behind that. just look for any spots where the wiring could be chaffing against any metal and also you shouldn't replace the fuse with a larger amperage as that can cause more damage if the wiring gets hot and starts to melt.

[aussie7]

get a wiring diagram and find out what is causing the dash to short out, is there anything youve done to the electrical side of the car before this happened?

The only thing I have done electricaly is change the taillight globe, this was about a week ago but the dash lights were working after this AFAIK

obviously there is a short somewhere which you have to find which can be tricky sometimes, i cant remember but does that fuse also power your front and rear parklights? if it does things you can check is the wiring harness to the rear lights which is behind the carpet in the boot, if you have a trailer plug you can check the wiring to that, if you have an aftermarket headunit you could check the wiring behind that. just look for any spots where the wiring could be chaffing against any metal and also you shouldn't replace the fuse with a larger amperage as that can cause more damage if the wiring gets hot and starts to melt.

The front parker lights dont work and haven't since I've had the car and thanks for the tip about not using larger amp fuses

[hako]

Check you've installed the correct globe to the tail light - compare to the opposite side. Incorrect bulbs will cause a short.

[aussie7]

Check you've installed the correct globe to the tail light - compare to the opposite side. Incorrect bulbs will cause a short.

Thanks, I just tried putting the old globe back in the tail/break light and the dash light fuse blew as soon as I turned on the engine

I will check that both sides have the same globe specs next

[Brett_jjj]

According to the VS wiring diagram the fuse number 1 has a few different systems running from it.Heres what it says runs off fuse number 1:
exterior lighting,
Glove compartment lamp,
instrument panel,
audio system,
climate control,
clock
Id check the park lamps relay which is fed from fuse no 1.Maybe swap it for one the same and then see if the fuse still blows then.The park lamps relay is under the dash in the fuse box.Its the second small relay with the blue stripe.I just had a look,you can swap it with the heated rear window relay which is the same relay next to the park lamp relay,and then try it to see if another fuse blows..

[BlackVXGTS]

Does the fuse also blow when you just turn on the parking lamps and not the headlights? My manual shows that Fuse 1 controls the parking lamps, trip computer, and power antenna. Since you said that your parking lamps don't work that would seem to be the first place to look. Start by checking the parking lamp relay A2 (the relay is immediately above the fuses).

[aussie7]

According to the VS wiring diagram the fuse number 1 has a few different systems running from it.Heres what it says runs off fuse number 1:
exterior lighting,
Glove compartment lamp,
instrument panel,
audio system,
climate control,
clock
Id check the park lamps relay which is fed from fuse no 1.Maybe swap it for one the same and then see if the fuse still blows then.The park lamps relay is under the dash in the fuse box.Its the second small relay with the blue stripe.I just had a look,you can swap it with the heated rear window relay which is the same relay next to the park lamp relay,and then try it to see if another fuse blows..

Its only the dash lights that aren't working

Thanks I will have a look tomorrow in the daytime and try changing the relays

Does the fuse also blow when you just turn on the parking lamps and not the headlights? My manual shows that Fuse 1 controls the parking lamps, trip computer, and power antenna. Since you said that your parking lamps don't work that would seem to be the first place to look. Start by checking the parking lamp relay A2 (the relay is immediately above the fuses).

the fuse is ok and the dash lights work fine with the headlights on, until you start the car then it blows

Is there any chance that something got damaged when I had a new radiator fitted, as this is about the time when the problem started ?

[rombouts91]

sorry its called instrument illum... i had this problem but i now cant stop the instrument illum fuse from blowing

[aussie7]

mine turned out to be the wiring for my tail lights was shorting out under the centre console

the fuse for the Speedo is also the fuse for the tail lights and neither worked until the short was fixed

took it to the auto electrician and its fixed now