95' Blazer Fuse 4 problem

[CUflyN]

I've been having a problem with my #4 fuse(fuse for gauges) blowing on my 95' blazer (automatic). I took it to 2 people, a general mechanic and an electrical mechanic, neither of them could figure out why the fuse is blowing. The fuse seems to blow out after about 2 miles, when the car is stopped and idle (ex. stop light) and when you try to begin moving from being stopped is when the fuse generally goes. I don't know what else to do so perhaps you might have a few clues about my problem.

Thanks...

[BlazerLT]

Check for loose wires and connections behind the dash.

[CUflyN]

The mechanics checked for loose wires and things of that sort already, and there is no problems there. The connections are fine and the car is in great condition, the electrical mechanic looked through the electrical system for shorts and things like that and found nothing readily apparent. The 4th fuse is the key, and the electrical mechanic could not identify the reason why that fuse was blowing. Howeer that fuse tells my alternator to activate and thus i am unable to drive my blazer. Any other ideas?

[BlazerLT]

check that wire going to the alternator and /or get your alternator checked.

[CUflyN]

Loose wires or bad connections have been checked... battery and alternator are brand new ... still the #4 fuse blows after driving about 2 miles. Any other ideas?

I had all of these things checked today - 9/10/04
My car is still at the electrical mechanics shop as of this moment, this problem stumped him.

[BlazerLT]

check behind the fuse panel for shorts.

reseat all computer connections.

[CUflyN]

The mechanic checked the fuse panel for shorts and bad connections as well as the entire dash.
So that doesn't seem to be the problem.

[Mikado14]

The circuits being powered from the #4 fuse need to be isolated. Remove the fuse and install a current meter of sufficient range to read the current. You need to determine what all is being powered by this fuse. GM is known, as well as others, for powering other things from fuses that are labled one thing.

Since you mentioned that the fuse also controls the alternator unplug the alternator and see if that changes the reading on the current meter.

If you don't have a current meter, do what BlazerLT said, have the alternator checked and not in the car. Remove it and have it checked. Autozone or a Pep Boys or similar can do this.

[BlazerLT]

Itjust sounds like the alternator is blowing the circuit.

[Mikado14]

Yes BlazerLT, it does. However, a little diagnostics helps the pocketbook.

[Rick Norwood]

Did this problem start before or after you installed the new alternator?

Are there any other signs of electrical malfunction like gages going haywire etc? Is the Volt/amp meter in the dash reading normal?

Has any other general repairs or maintenance been performed, or lights/trailer hitch connectons been made? Is there any possibility of a wire that was nipped or pinched, (perhaps while changing the alternator) causing a short?

After you get the Alternator checked off of the truck, If you still have the problem, You might try getting the engine idling and try wiggling the wiring harnesses (especially the alternator harness) under the hood while looking for any sign of sparks and/or blown fuses.

Some of these questions/suggestions are basic and even stupid, but something is shorting the fuse and making it Blow.

[Rick Norwood]

CUflyN, any luck? I think you owe us an update. Is your truck still in the garage? Throw us a bone Bro.