15A fuse keeps Blowing up. Need your attention please!!!!

[cruisn76]

92 camry 5spd 4 CYL

Ok here my problem, I keep blowing the 15A fuse to the tail lights. So now my dash lights don't work but my HVAC LEDs work. My gauge lights, HVAC backlight, glove box and tail lights running lights (dimmed tail lights) all DO NOT work.

Things that don't work:

Gauges
HVAC backlight
Glove Box
Tail light running lights
Front corner lights

Things that still work:

Head lights including DRL's
My brake lights work, including third brake light
Cluster information lights work ie airbag light, check engine light (no codes present) etc..
My alarm still works with light notification ie when I lock/unlock the car via remote all the lights mentioned above that do not work actually blinks but only with the alarm.

Can someone please help. I cannot drive my car at night because I will get a ticket for not having running lights. I only have my HID's on to help.

Thanks in advance

[JT_3K]

When you replace the fuse, does it blow instantly, within seconds or whilst driving? Also, what work have you done to the things on that circuit? Have you had any major trim panels/parts off recently or carried anything heavy in the trunk that's bounced around a bit?

I don't know if there's a Camry specific issues with this circuit but whenever I hear of a circuit down blowing a fuse, the first thing I think is of of a grounding cable. I suggest that somewhere one of the cables on that circuit has "gone through" and is touching the bodywork causing the circuit to blow immediately....

[cruisn76]

Originally Posted by JT_3K

When you replace the fuse, does it blow instantly, within seconds or whilst driving? Also, what work have you done to the things on that circuit? Have you had any major trim panels/parts off recently or carried anything heavy in the trunk that's bounced around a bit?

I don't know if there's a Camry specific issues with this circuit but whenever I hear of a circuit down blowing a fuse, the first thing I think is of of a grounding cable. I suggest that somewhere one of the cables on that circuit has "gone through" and is touching the bodywork causing the circuit to blow immediately....

When I replace the fuse and turn on my dash lights it blows instantly. I recently installed a sub and amp but that still works without a problem. The grounding cable for the amp is still where I installed in the chasis of the trunk.

The weird thing is when I activate/deativate my alarm the lights work even with the blow fuse

[JT_3K]

I'd turn the ignition (key) off, pull the fuse, connect a resistance meter (ohmmeter) between the car (NOT THE BATTERY) side of the fuse holder to the earth and turn on the switch, then see what it says. If it reads low or zero, you've a short or a VERY screwed component and you need to look for that break in the cable sheath. If it just reads med (don't know what it should be, sorry), you've prob got a screwed component and you could always start testing them individually.

[93celicaconv]

I think what JT_3K was trying to ask is, was there anything you did to the car, immediately after which this fuse blew (doesn't matter if what you did still works or not, its the cause & effect question on this circuit).

The fuse that blows protects everything that isnt' working now. Your alarm system doesn't activate any of the lights on this circuit - it activates your brake lights and your turn signals/headlights, but not your running lights, dash lights, etc.

[JT_3K]

I think what JT_3K was trying to ask is, was there anything you did to the car, immediately after which this fuse blew (doesn't matter if what you did still works or not, its the cause & effect question on this circuit).

Yeah, sorry, didn't ask too clearly reading back...

[LynchburgCSI]

+1 on the "did you do anything recently" question. If no, it COULD be a short in the dimmer switch. That seems to be a fairly common issue on the gen 3.0/3.5. But it doesn't explain the headlight and taillight issue. Still worth a try though.

Your lights still flash when hitting your keyless entry because the point at which the alarm system supplies ground for those lights is independent of where the fuse in the car's wiring harness is. Simply, the alarm system causes the lights to flash regardless of the fuse being blown or not.

[cruisn76]

Thanks guys for all the info. I found the culprit...

Dimmer switch connector was shorted. And since I work at a repair facility for Nortel I sniped it and fixed it in house!

I actually got a fuse reader that connected into the fuse location and did some trial and error. I so hapy it wasn't something else that was more complicated.

Thanks everyone for the quick response.

[LynchburgCSI]

^ It's always the damn dimmer switch.

[JT_3K]

^ It's always the damn dimmer switch.

My first Camry specific regular problem. Every car has its weak points where if it will break, it does.