Int Lps Fuse Blows

I have a 98 Grand Am GT, 3.1 engine. I am having a problem with the 10amp fuse labeled Int Lps continually blowing. When it goes out, the interior lights, door chime, and radio stop working. Also, the ABS and parking brake light come on the dashboard. I've had it to my Dealer seven times. They originally wanted $800 for new AC/Delco radio. Told them no thanks, I'd replace myself. Replaced with two radios (both used AC/ Delco's). Same situation. Work for a day or two, then nothing. Dealer replaced electronic ignition at $330. No luck. Dealer then put "new" aftermarket stereo in. Same thing, no luck. Reinstalled original radio back in car. Dealer then said got some codes indicating ABS bad. Replaced wiring harness (not sure which one). Zappo, blew out on way home. Dealer finally offered to refund my $$$ spent, said they couldn't fix it, and for me to go elsewhere.

Called Pontiac complaint line for advice/information. They contacted dealer, got back to me and said to go elsewhere for repairs. What a waste of 50 minutes on the phone.

Has anyone experienced anything of this nature. If you have, PLEASE give me some insight as to where I may look for the problem. I've obviously got a bad ground/short somewhere. Thanks in advance.

I hate to say this, but it sounds like a short in the wiring somewhere. You most likely have a wire making contact with metal of another wire that is causing the fuse to blow. I don't know how the dome light and other issues relate to the ABS. Before the problem started was there any work done on the car anywhere? Something done that would cause pinched or cut wires? If so I would begin to look in that area.

Good luck

No work done recently that could cause wires to pinch, etc. Still blowing fuses on a regular basis. Question????? Would wiring radio to another area, possibly eliminating it from blowing, be a recommended path to follow? I figure a couple things could come out of this. First, radio would work continually, and the interior lights & door chimes would still blow the fuse. My wife says she can live with that for now. This would also eliminate the radio or its wiring as the problem. Or, interior lights and door chimes would work continually, and the radio would still blow fuses. This would obviously indicate a wiring problem to/from the radio. Any advice is greatly appreciated.

That could work, the only relation to the radio and interior lights is the dimming of the display on the radio when the headlights cone on, and that relation is through the head light switch/interior on/off brightness settings. I can't really figure why the dealer wanted to replace the radio to begin with. Any way, try this, take out the dome light bulb and see if it happens again. The reason I suggest this is if the short is in the dome light it should not happen since that circut will not be complete. If it happens again try removing the bulbs from the other fixtures one at a time. this may help you to track the short. also check the cig. lighter when the fuse blows again. this could also be a connection to the radio, there is a constant hot lead going to the radio for the clock/station memory. If the cig. lighter is not working that would be another direction to go . but I would try the lights first. Watch those little bulbs can get real hot. Let me know how it goes. If you double click on my name you can send a private message if you prefer.

Good luck,
Dan

Still no luck. Thought we may have found something in the auto door lock. While friend was metering several different points, he touched the door lock inside passenger door and shorted fuse. Not sure if this was a fluke or is somehow related to my problem. We had checked most routes to the interior lights and nothing unusual appeared. The interior lights fuse still blew with the cigarette lighter out. Any of you electrical geniuses out there, please advise if we could be headed in the right direction or are we just chasing rabbits. Thanks again for any and all help.

Also, in case I wasn't clear in the beginning, it is the interior light fuse blowing, NOT the radio fuse. But the radio, along with interior lights, stop working when it blows.

Forgot one thing that has sinced happened. Now the sunroof will not fully open or close. It will go about 6-8" open (you can force it further) and it will shut to the closed position, then seal about half way down, but not flush with the roof. Have I really screwed this bad boy up, or could this be another issue with lousy timing?

Thanks again.