lights question

Ok this question isn't actually about my metro its about my honda crx. I posted it in the honda forums but everyone there is more concerned about engine swaps and such. Since everyone in the metro forums are more concerned about gas mileage and in general are much more nice. I thought i would ask it here. I can not keep the fuse in my tail light socket from blowing. I think it is probably a short. How would I start to track it down? Also if it is not a short, what else could it be?
Thanks alot
Flatblackratrod

...How would I start to track it down? Also if it is not a short, what else could it be?


You have a short to ground, or the wrong taillights installed.

A fuse blows when the current flowing in a circuit becomes to high (duh). A short to ground bypasses the load which raises the current and blows the fuse.

A circuit whose wiring is in good condition, but is inadequate for the load, will also blow a fuse.

A circuit with bad or corroded connections in the wiring, or corroded wires will raise voltage, and resistance, but lower overall current flow - causing dim lights or otherwise malfunctioning loads, but will not blow a fuse.

So then, after you've verified the correct bulbs are installed, the fun begins. Get a wiring diagram of the brake light system. Remove the fuse and the bulbs.

Unplug the brake light switch at the pedal and attach the red lead from a DMM (digital multimeter) to the hot wire going from the switch to the tail lights. Turn the meter on to read ohms. Attach the black lead to a known good ground (battery negative cable, paint-free frame or body point, bolt that goes through the frame or body). If the reading on the meter changes from anything other than what it displayed with the black lead disconnected, you have a short in the wiring from the switch to the tail lights (which is the only place the short can be, given your description).

Now, using your wiring diagram, disconnect the segments of hot wire going from the switch to the brake lights one at a time and test them individually. This will isolate the wire segment that is shorting out. Good segments will not chagne the reading, the bad segment will. Then either replace or repair the shorted wire, and you should be good to go.

If I've forgotten anything guys, please chime in!

-MechanicMatt

ok i'll give it a try. Way more info than I have gotten anywhere else. Thanks matt

No worries buddy =) Goodluck.