please help fuse keeps blowing

[chrissbee77]

Just started today a 2001 suburban k1500 4wd.

noticed the cig lighter and tail lights were not working. I checked the fuses and sure enough they had blown. I have since then went through a whole pack of fuses. What do i do they work for about 15-20 min and the damn tail light fuse just keeps blowing. Please tell me its something simple all out of money from christmas

[danielsatur]

A fuse is to protect a circuit from a short!
Some how the battery in the circuit is drawing too many amps, thus blowing fuse.
1) Isolate all cigar lighters in car.

I found a penny in my cigar lighter socket in the rear door on my Towncar.

How many Amp fuse are you using?

[Elbert]

if you don't find something in teh cig lighters... most likely you have a wire that has been cut and is grounding to the body of the vehicle (dead short) which blows the fuse.

[aztecf]

Most likely in the trailer hitch harness if you have one. Examine the harness for defects

Jeff

[MT-2500]

Originally Posted by chrissbee77

Just started today a 2001 suburban k1500 4wd.

noticed the cig lighter and tail lights were not working. I checked the fuses and sure enough they had blown. I have since then went through a whole pack of fuses. What do i do they work for about 15-20 min and the damn tail light fuse just keeps blowing. Please tell me its something simple all out of money from christmas

If just tail light fuse blowing .
Then as said check tail light wiring on rear also license plate light .
Trailer hitch wiring is a main problem and wiring also under frame tail light wiring shorting or dropping on exhaust.
Also check tail light bulbs and tail light socket assembles.

On the tail lights you can unplug one at a time to check out.
Also wiggle wires and look for bare and bad spots on wiring and or shorted tail light assembles.
Let us know how it goes.

What fuse and fuse no or name and what location is blowing?
And what amp fuse are you putting in it?

[danielsatur]

1) Make sure snow, or ice isn't a factor on electrical connectors on tail harness.
Clean use CRC electrical cleaner, and dielectric grease, and silicone sealant for protection.

2) Make sure the most used cirgar lighter socket isn't loose, this could also cause a short.

[chrissbee77]

okay so I checked the wiring as best i could. THe fuse that keeps blowing is located in the driver side compartment. Its a 20 AMP fuse that runs the Tail Lights. The cig light fuse had been blown for a long time. I dont think the 2 are related. No water in the tail lamp assembleys also all the bulb seem to be in good working order, no moisture or corrosion. The tail lamps will work for a little while then you hear a "POP".. replace the same fuse and they work for allitle while longer.. HAve never used the vehicle to tow anything and the wires all seem to be secure

[danielsatur]

Don't forget to check the 3rd brake light too!
Look for cuts, or damage battery wire to bulbs touching ground.

[Scrapper]

Originally Posted by chrissbee77

Just started today a 2001 suburban k1500 4wd.

noticed the cig lighter and tail lights were not working. I checked the fuses and sure enough they had blown. I have since then went through a whole pack of fuses. What do i do they work for about 15-20 min and the damn tail light fuse just keeps blowing. Please tell me its something simple all out of money from christmas

have you unhooked wire to cig lighter yet?

[j cAT]

the tail lamp fuses will blow if the tail lamps are with bad sockets and wires going to the tail lamp assy.are shorting out. remove the lens assy check the wires behind the now unmounted lens ..

then the high mounted 3rd brake light , this gets water in it shorting out and not working..

the other problem would be non oem installed trailer wiring ..this is most always causing these shorts...

[MT-2500]

Originally Posted by chrissbee77

okay so I checked the wiring as best i could. THe fuse that keeps blowing is located in the driver side compartment. Its a 20 AMP fuse that runs the Tail Lights. The cig light fuse had been blown for a long time. I dont think the 2 are related. No water in the tail lamp assembleys also all the bulb seem to be in good working order, no moisture or corrosion. The tail lamps will work for a little while then you hear a "POP".. replace the same fuse and they work for allitle while longer.. HAve never used the vehicle to tow anything and the wires all seem to be secure

Confirm it is a 01 K-1500 Suburban.
I show the under hood fuse box has seperater tail light fuses for left and right for it.

On the fuse that is blowing is it in underhood fuse box or under or at side of dash?
Is it numbered?
Anythings else quit working when tail lights quit?

As several has said check all wiring and tail light sockets and trailer plug and wiring and lisense plate lights and rear mlight witring under side along frame.

[muff34]

The 3rd brake light that some people speak of , is it not on a seperate circuit known as the CHMSL circuit (center high mounted stop light) and would have no bearing on this fellas tail light fuse blowing. I do beleive the fuse for this circuit is under the hood.

[j cAT]

Originally Posted by chrissbee77

okay so I checked the wiring as best i could. THe fuse that keeps blowing is located in the driver side compartment. Its a 20 AMP fuse that runs the Tail Lights. The cig light fuse had been blown for a long time. I dont think the 2 are related. No water in the tail lamp assembleys also all the bulb seem to be in good working order, no moisture or corrosion. The tail lamps will work for a little while then you hear a "POP".. replace the same fuse and they work for allitle while longer.. HAve never used the vehicle to tow anything and the wires all seem to be secure

you must give the exact name of the fuse.

THE " STOP LPS 20A " Fuse is for the brake lights. Is this the fuse that blows ?

If this is the fuse that is the issue , this I would guess it is the brake pedal switch , that is defective or the wire going from the fuse to this switch...

careful inspection of this wiring / switch should reveal the problem..problem is not an easy place to get a good look..

with the vehicle this old a wire or switch its 50/50 !

if the lamps or other wiring were bad the other 10amp fuses would blow.


CHMSL 10a fuse goes to trailer wiring as well as the center high mounted light. a short here would blow the 10amp not the 20a stop lps fuse !