Thread: 98 200 sx blowing tail light fuse non stop???

ok.. as the title states... i put the short shifter in about 2 months ago and ever since the tail lite fuse under the hood blows constantly... sometimes when i put the fuse in itll work for a while and other times it blows right away...it really sucks driving at night with no lights except headlights.. im thinking its a loose wire somewhere but i dont really wanna rip the whole interior out of the car just to find where it is... any help would be greatly appreciated..

you have an aftermarket radio? If so check the wires, there is a wire back there that will blow the tail light fuse, I had this happen on my first B14 years ago...

Well... You could do what I did..... Systematically figure it out. I eventually unplugged EVERYTHING on the circuit. Dashboard, running lights all around, Warning light switch, defogger, etc. AND IT STILL BLEW!

I completely forgot that the master window switch was illuminated. Sure enough that was it. Corroded contacts on the inside of the switch. Must have had the window down during rain too many times.

BUT don't forget, anythign that illuminates in the running lights ( first turn on the headlight switch ) could be the culprit. And yes, if an aftermarket radio was just installed check that first, or anything that you might have changed recently.

GOOD LUCK!

the cd player and amp has been in for months.. it only happened as soon as i put the short shifter in... i put the new fuse in and as soon as i turn the headlight switch on it blows.. the other day i put one in and it drove for a while ok than i hit a bump and it blew again...so its gonna be a complete strip job...

You could always put a thick piece of wire in there and look for the smoke. Not a very good option

They make breaker fuses. Instead of blowing the fuse it just flips the breaker and you can flip it back on.

disconnect the ends of the circuit and check to see if the wires have continuity to ground.. i'm betting they do.. and with all of the wiring that relates to the tail lights being disconnected, you shouldn't be shorted to ground if everything is ok.. i bet one of the wires is shorted to ground.. replace said wire instead of finding the short..

You hit a bump, Bingo!! it's a wire for sure...

thats what i figured... thanx fellas.appreciate it

hey i just got a 98 200sx and the tail lights running lights and tag lights dont work. i just put a new after market stereo system in the car a week ago, elaborate on which wire it is that will cause the fuse to blow because i did have a blown fuse. the bulbs are all good and i have all good fuses in it now but none of the lights i referred to will work, the dashboard lights are also not working. any advice is appreciated.