Electrical problem

[Bibson]

I have a 99 runner. The audio system, power antenna and the clock don't work. I checked the interior fuse box (instrument panel) and found a blown up fuse(number 24 in the owner manual) I changed it twice and got the same result(blown fuse).
What should I do next?
Thanks

[Brian R.]

Trace the wires from the fuse to the accessories by isolating the wires and determining which wire has a short to ground. Use an ohmmeter on either the fuse or accessory end of the wire with the other end unplugged, with the other terminal of the ohm meter on body and chassis ground. Test the wires with a volt meter to ground before you work on them to be sure they are isolated.

The wire with a circuit to ground is the bad one. Find the connection to ground and insulate it with electrical tape. Alternatively, replace the wiring harness.

If there is no short, then it is one of the accessories that has an internal short. See below.

[Bibson]

Thanks Brian, I will try to do that this week end.

[Brian R.]

Another (easier) route is to unplug the connectors from all the problem accessories and only plug one in at a time. Find the one that blows the fuse and then you can be sure it is a short in the accessory. If the wires have a short to ground, then the fuse will blow with all the accessories disconnected.

[Bibson]

I used the (easier) route and got the problem fixed.
I got a bad cigarette lighter. I unpluged it and everything else is working fine(clock, audio system ...).
Thanks again

[Brian R.]

You're welcome. Glad to see it wasn't a wire hidden somewhere.