Gauge fuse blowing up - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

hbasavar · 03-26-2007, 01:58 PM

Hi Guys,
I have a electrical problem with my 2000 Camry (4 cyl 5S-FE) that the front panel gauge fuse (10 A) keeps blowing up. I do understand that there is a short but I am looking for some help in diagnosing it. As many of you might know, the fuse is connected to many circuits Tachometer, Engine rpm, power windows etc. What I found interestingly is when I put my car to reverse it blows. My back light (the two lights next to the license plate that light up when the car is reverse) does not work either. I tried replacing a bulb but the bulbs look ok. I get continuity but strangely I see close to 0 ohms resistance on the bulbs. Also there is a relation with the operation of the Power seats. Moving the seats upfront seems to be causing it. I do have the electrical diagrams from the 99 camry through the forums.

Any help is most appreciated.

Thanks,
Hemanth.

hbasavar · 03-26-2007, 07:48 PM

Anyone, please?

360glitch · 03-27-2007, 12:34 AM

I wish I could help you but I wouldnt know where to start. :S

***toyomoho*** · 03-27-2007, 12:57 AM

If the back up lights do not work and the Gauge Fuse blows when you put the car in reverse (turn on the back up lights) start looking for a short in the backup light wiring. The lights are on this fuse. If the backup lights are mounted on the trunk lid, suggest looking first where the wires go from the lid to the chassis. THen find rear of the back up lights and move back to check the wiring.

The wiring color would be Red/Black for the power wire and White/Black for the ground. It should run along the drivers side of the car.

hbasavar · 03-27-2007, 02:41 PM

Thanks toyomoho. I did remove the Park/Neutral switch to see if there was any short. But couldn't find any. I will try what you suggested and hopefully I find what I was looking for.

Thanks, will keep posted

hbasavar · 03-28-2007, 06:52 PM

The R (reverse) light on the dashboard lights up when I step on the brake pedal. This could be my source of the problem

hbasavar · 03-31-2007, 08:22 PM

Solved!

Actually it was two problems. The shorting was happening on the hinge of the rear trunk lid. It was difficult to find that out. I used the 99 wiring diagrams and traced the circuits. Initially I was going nowhere and removed the main junction box under the steering wheel. But at last I got a break while tracing the circuit for the backup light. I used wheel chocks, handbrake and wrenched a rod between the brake pedal and my front power seat to hold it depressed. That way I could freely work on the rear lights.

There were totally 3 wires that were cut.

The second problem was with the Park/Neutral switch. The lubricant inside had become a thick paste and wasn't making good contacts. I opened it up, cleaned the contacts and put it back together.

Everything works now. Thanks for all your help!

Hemanth.