97 escort wagon with fuse problems

the fuse does the lights and cluster.

it used to blow once in a while now it's multipe times each time i drive it. last night it went through 6 fuses.

hhhhheeeeellllppppppp please.

Replace the fuse with an automatic resetting circuit breaker.

Are you using the correct amp fuses? Does it blow the fuse during the daylight?

a resetting cb isn't going to overload the circuit?

also, it only seems to happen during non-daylight hours, when the lights are on. it doesn't seem to have any bearing on the use of brake lights though.

i was hoping this was a common problem and a simple solution had already been figured out. not so, huh?

and yes, correctly using 15 amp fuses.

As long as the circuit breaker is 15 amp there won't be any problem. It'll give you some time to figure out the problem without having to replace all of those fuses. On some cars, not sure about Escort, when the instrument lights are out so is the brake lights.

have you checked all your grounds ?? a loose ground wire can create shorts and blow fuses.

Usually when the dash lights go out, the tail lights go out too. Make an enlarged copy of the wiring diagram for your car. This will make it easier to read and mark off the areas you have checked. You are going to have to physically check all the wiring, connections, switches, etc. Look for melted plugs, coroded connections, rubbed or pinched wires. It is going to be time consuming. Being patient and methodical is the only way to go.

thanks for the help.

in this case the cluster is linked to the taillights. the brake lights seem to be independent.

anyone know where i can get a copy of the wiring
diagram online?

one mechanic i talked to advised we put a bigger fuse in and watch for smoke. sounds a little hairy to me.

NOOO!! Don't let the magic smoke out of the wire...it's bad, mmkay? I can get you a good diagram if i knew what size your engine was.

NOOO!! Don't let the magic smoke out of the wire...it's bad, mmkay? I can get you a good diagram if i knew what size your engine was.

1.8 and yes, a diagram would be fantastic.

nice tele, by the way.

Thanks, I've owned it for 11 years now....it's got character....lol

For wiring diagrams try autozone.com