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Topic: Blowing Fuses

in Forum: C3 Electrical


Blowing Fuses

Posted: 6/17/05 8:28pm Message 1 of 10
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Rocklin, CA - USA
Joined: 4/2/2005
Posts: 484
Vette(s): 1970 T-Top350/350hp numbers matching 4 speed. It's a mess and 1970 Convertible 4 speed.
Hi, I keep blowing my ctsy light fuse. What would cause this. As soon as I put the fuse in it sparks then blows. Do I have a short some where?


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Blowing Fuses

Posted: 6/17/05 10:03pm Message 2 of 10
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Joined: 10/21/2003
Posts: 1220
Check your cigar lighter for a bad ground.   Mike


Blowing Fuses

Posted: 6/18/05 4:40am Message 3 of 10
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New Zealand
Joined: 3/26/2005
Posts: 232
Vette(s): Silver '81 mostly original C3. Silver interior, bilstiens, big sway bars, headers.
Courtesy lights fuse feeds the following circuits:
- Glove box light
- Clock
- Cigar lighter
- Dome light
- Spare tyre lamp
- Courtesy lights
- Vanity mirror lamps
- Interior light delay timer unit
- Ignition Key/Seat Belt buzzer unit
- Horn relay
- Radio (electronically tuned only)
- Electric Aerial (via relay)
- Electric Door Locks
... so plenty of options to choose from I'm afraid.
(this info from GM Workshop Manual for 1981 Corvette)

Good luck ! You might need to invest in a manual to
help you diagnose the circuits. A good investment in
my opinion. Chris D.


Kiwi Chris

Blowing Fuses

Posted: 6/22/05 12:29pm Message 4 of 10
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Poquoson, VA - USA
Joined: 11/20/2004
Posts: 1023
Vette(s): 73 Conv, Blue-Green/White Top - 454, M21 - Dark Saddle Leather, Power Windows, A/C, Tilt/Tele, AM/FM St. (orig. and sounds like it too).#2 -- 2007 Coupe,3 LT package, Z51 option, Victory Red, Ebony Int. Clear Top.

Mine did it when I put my phone charger in the cigar lighter. I found the lighter base was not assembled right and was shorting everytime i pushed it in.




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Blowing Fuses

Posted: 6/22/05 4:44pm Message 5 of 10
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Kingston, TN - USA
Joined: 7/5/2003
Posts: 900
Vette(s): 1970 Vert Both Tops Kiesler 5 Speed Steeroids Rack and Pinion Stayfast Convertible Top
Must be queer electrons......sorry about the corny joke. A guy I used to work with always said this.
If I were guessing I would look at the cigarette lighter connections.



Blowing Fuses

Posted: 6/22/05 8:51pm Message 6 of 10
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Rocklin, CA - USA
Joined: 4/2/2005
Posts: 484
Vette(s): 1970 T-Top350/350hp numbers matching 4 speed. It's a mess and 1970 Convertible 4 speed.

Thanks. I will check that this weekend

 




Blowing Fuses

Posted: 6/23/05 2:57pm Message 7 of 10
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Joined: 3/22/2004
Posts: 179
Vette(s): 1982 COLLECTOR EDITION
I agree,the first place is the connections on the lighter base.If you have done any work at all recently under the console,or moved it for any reason(like installing carpet),the positive feed wire tends to pull off because it is a little short.Once it is off and it touches any metal(ground)that will blow the fuse for sure.If that is not the problem start with the easiest things to take out of the circuit that ceedee mentioned,one at the time, and see if the fuse stops clearing(you might need a few fuses).Once you isolate that circuit you can scrutinize it more closely for pinched wires or shorted components.Let us now how you are doing.


Blowing Fuses

Posted: 6/23/05 4:20pm Message 8 of 10
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Australia
Joined: 5/6/2004
Posts: 535
Vette(s): 71 Coupe Black on Black

All electronic stuff is filled with smoke.  That's how it all works.  When the smoke leaks out you know they are broken and they don't work any more.  Sorry Couldn't resist...

What ever you do, don't get a fuse with a capacity for more smoke (i.e. a bigger fuse) you will start to melt wire and of course the smoke will leak out of the wire but that's harder to replace.

I agree with the comments on the cig lighter from all before.  Maybe your lighter itself has a short in it.  If you are a non-smoker and don't use your lighter socket for anything else, they can get corroded and short out.  Maybe that's what blew the fuse in the first place?  In any case I'd be checking it before all the other places that CeeDee referred to, it's the easiest one to get at.




Blowing Fuses

Posted: 6/26/05 5:08pm Message 9 of 10
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Rocklin, CA - USA
Joined: 4/2/2005
Posts: 484
Vette(s): 1970 T-Top350/350hp numbers matching 4 speed. It's a mess and 1970 Convertible 4 speed.
You guys were dead on. It was the cigar lighter. Thatnks for the help.


Blowing Fuses

Posted: 6/27/05 1:25pm Message 10 of 10
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BINGHAMTON, NY - USA
Joined: 7/19/2003
Posts: 3808
Vette(s): ......
That happened to me too,I put a new console plate on,and wiggled the wires around,put it all back together,pushed in the cigarete lighter in PUFF,lost my dome lights ,clock,radio,other stuff I can't remember.Those old wires don't like to be moved


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