Blown Fuses

[BudTX]

My son's 1983 K20 keeps blowing the fuse to the tail lights. When I replace the fuse and turn the lights on with the engine off, the tail lights are very dim. If I start the truck and then turn the tail lights on, the fuse blows. It takes a 20 amp blade fuse. I tried a 25 amp (I know, I know), but it still blew.

Any ideas? I know next to nothing about troubleshooting electrical problems (except that you don't put a fuse with a higher rating in when you short one out ).

Thanks,

Bud

[us111]

hello,,that certainly sounds like a pinched wire somewhere,about the only way to find it is take the tail light apart and start checking wires all the way from there to fuse box or until you find it..most likely gonna be a bare wire somewhere...

[Russell]

Also make sure that your ground is still good. Its located behind the tail light on the driver's side.

[BudTX]

Thanks!!

[wedgemon]

Remove one bulb first - then test (have spare fuses). If that doesn't blow. You've narrowed the search by half.

[75silverstep]

I had a similar problem .Mine was the taillights also but when i would turn them on they would blow and then my dome light would come on ya i dont know..well i found that behind my fuse box the conections were coming loose or they were off couldnt tell when i pulled it of the firewall ..

[j hannah]

when you are tracing wires, use a circuit breaker instead of a fuse. itll save you from buying a bunch of fuses.