inst panel tailight fuse keeps blowing

[dnmir54]

this is for a1996 s10 pickup blew inst panel lights and tailight fuse ,replaced it and it blew after 30 seconds.replaced it and it blew again immediatly when we turned on the headlight /tailight switch
what could be the cause what should i check for
any help would be appreciated

[MT-2500]

Usually a short in tail lights or wiring?
Does it have a trailer plug on it.
Look under side and under rear bumper area and if trailer plug check wiring on it real close.
Also tail light socket or bulb can short out.

Best way to find is to start unplugging until you find short.

They make a short finder meter and also a circuit breaker helps save on fuses when looking for short.
Let us know how it goes.

[old_master]

If you have an aftermarket radio, check the wiring at the radio. The instrument panel illumination circuit gets its feed from the taillight circuit.

[dnmir54]

yes it does have a trailer plug
willmcheck wires and rear taillight bulbs
could the headlight switch be at fault?

[MT-2500]

Not very often on head light switch.

[dnmir54]

Originally Posted by dnmir54

this is for a1996 s10 pickup blew inst panel lights and tailight fuse ,replaced it and it blew after 30 seconds.replaced it and it blew again immediatly when we turned on the headlight /tailight switch
what could be the cause what should i check for
any help would be appreciated

checked out the tail lights and found that a red wire that was connected to the tailights for somereason wwas making contact with the msheet metal of the body ,cut it short and taped it up and problem was fixed .

thanks for all your help Dave

[MT-2500]

You are welcome.

Good find.
Sounds like some one had a trailer light wired up to it.
Thanks for posting back how it went and the fix.
Good Liuck