blown fuses

[kipper]

I was wondering if anyone else was having problems with blowing a particular fuse. I keep blowing the same 10amp fuse that runs dash light/tail lights/etc. Just wanted to know if anyone has had same problems and any solutions prior to spending clams on an auto elec - thanks

[cr1pp5]

Sounds like there could be some dodgy wiring somewhere. What is the fuse actually for, tail lights, dash or something else? It is probably an active making contact with earth or negative. You would have to identify the exact circuit to work out what it was.

[kipper]

Yeah the fuse is a 10a located in fuses under steering wheel, left hand side second from bottom. Fuse runs tail lights and dash light. What's the best thing to do? considering I've exhausted all of my electrical aptitude by removing the blown fuse. My only solution at this stage is to buy a mega pack of 10a fuses but I guess I need to solve the problem

[Dave]

Funny you should raise this, mine went not long after picking the Hilux up, within a few weeks!
No idea why it went, still has me confused.

[cr1pp5]

is there anything in particular that makes it blow, or does it just happen anytime? What i'm thinking is, that it might be something in the switch

[kipper]

Nothing I can think of makes them go, I've blown 3 in about 2 months but haven't done much night driving, tipping obviously if i did more night driving that I would have blown more though

[cr1pp5]

is ya lux still under warranty? if so take it back to Toyota. If not you might be able to take it back to them anyway, and they may have come across this problem before and lead you in the right direction. Otherwise, i reckon ya either gonna have to pull apart and check the circuits yourself or, take it to an auto elec.

[kipper]

copy that i'll try toyota first see how I go if i find out what the deal is I'll post it

[cr1pp5]

no worries mate

[Steve9R]

its more likely to be a problem in the stalk i reckon..

Id make sure it was the parking lights/headlights on though that cause it first.. eg.. with headlights/parkers OFF.. your dash lights should still be on.. if the fuse blows without you having turned on lights at all.. then more than likely a short somewhere..

gotta remember that there's not much 'turning' required to change contact points.. probably best to pull the stalk apart and check it out.. failing that, take it to toyota..

[olcoolone]

Have you got a tow bar fitted?

You don't tow a trailer do you?

[cr1pp5]

its more likely to be a problem in the stalk i reckon..

Id make sure it was the parking lights/headlights on though that cause it first.. eg.. with headlights/parkers OFF.. your dash lights should still be on.. if the fuse blows without you having turned on lights at all.. then more than likely a short somewhere..

gotta remember that there's not much 'turning' required to change contact points.. probably best to pull the stalk apart and check it out.. failing that, take it to toyota..

Before pulling it apart yourself, i would be taking it to Toyota first, just to see if they have come across this problem before. Then they may be able to point you in the right direction

[shane308]

i have the same problem with the same fuse, when it blows i have no dash lights, tail lights, heater/aircon, or elec windows, i've been dealing with it for most of the utes life and allways have a handfull of replacment fuses, i have noticed when it happens its usually been raining and i have had the trailer on so i'm thinking its somthing to do with the trailer plug wiring.

[kipper]

I brought the hilux second hand, the first time the fuse went I located it and noticed that the fuse sat higher than all of the others (it's still a 10a, just a different brand i think) so I'm guessing the previous owner had the same problem. I do tow but not much, I do have spotlights so maybe it's something to do with when I use them, I will have to pay more attention. And what is a stalk?

[cr1pp5]

the lever for the indicators and wipers, the bits sticking out from the steering column

[felix]

there was a recall to fix a wiring relay.....yours might not have been done so check with your local toyota dealer

[kipper]

Ok thanks will check with toyota, it's now blowing as soon as I turn the switch on for the lights, so I think cr1pp5 is probably on the money

[plugger]

My 2004 extra cab is blowing the tail light fuse and i can measure the short at the fuse, disconnected all harnesses to the rear but stil have the short, I am just about to check the indicator switch, that fuse is supplied from the stalk though so unsure if thats the right area,

[rad2085]

Take it from an Auto Electrician in my 15 years experience 98% percent of the time these issues are caused by something that is added to the car or shear stupidity(drilling through cables, mounting seats on cables and the like).

First you need to disconnect every addition to that circuit, in the case of tail lamps, look for dodgy globes(rare but it does happen) trailer wiring, rear bars, rear canopys. Also look at front bars and parking lights and stereo.

Any work you or somebody has done to the car is where I would start. As this is the usual suspect.

Youd be surprised how many customers I ask if they have had anything fitted or done to their car, say no. After determining a fault with the stereo wiring, I would ring them and explain the fault and they would say oh yeah I got that done last week and ever since.

It is pain staking finding faults like this but just go back to basics and look over the vehicle. You may need to look at the wiring diagram and issolate circuits by adding fuse holders to seperate which circuit is causing the problem.

Good luck
Greg

[Rebs]

I had this fuse blow recently when I hooked up a trailer. Turned out to be a wiring error in the trailers plug.
If you have a trailer plug on your lux check it out carefully for loose wires or errant copper strands etc.