Hi guys I purchased a footwell led kit from autozone to install in my max. I have a 1999 non-Bose if that makes any difference. I have it wired to a fuse tap to the fuse for the cig lighter under the steering wheel. The power signal then goes to a switch which is connected to the two led strips. I have the led strips and the switch both grounded to the bolt under the fuse box. Every time I start the car the extra fuse I added blows. I have tested the switch and wiring outside the car and it seems fine. My guess is that either I have a bad ground, or a ground loop somewhere but I have been messing around all day and I can't figure it out.

 

Mabe it's just the words you are using, but what do you mean by "have the switch grounded"? A regular switch does not need to be grounded.

If you turn the key to the ACCESSORY position, does the fuse blow then?

What is the amperage of the fuse and what is the current draw (amps or watts) of the light strip?

 

I'm not sure of the amperage draw, but I'm using a 10a fuse for them and it's only a few leds. And the switch is grounded because it lights up. I'm gonna try not grounding the switch and see if that works...

 

A few leds probably don't even use a half amp. To blow a fuse, that means that there is too much current current going through it. A short circuit would of course do that. A bad ground would prevent current from flowing like the fuse does after it blows.

Where is the fuse in the wiring?
Is it 12 volts - fuse - switch - leds - ground?
or 12 volts - switch - fuse - leds - ground?

The 1st way is preferable because it protects against the switch malfunctioning. But if you have it wired the 2nd way, a bad switch would not cause the fuse to blow.

Whatever items are after the fuse are ones that can cause the fuse to blow.

 

My guess would be how the switch is wired. Try removing the switch altogether and running the power right to the lights. If the fuse still blows, then the lights need to go back to autozone..