So yesterday I was getting in my car, and I noticed when I was putting it in gear my 3rd brake light would not illuminate as I depressed the brake. So I knew immediately it was a blown fuse. So I went to grab a spare 15 Amp fuse and plugged it in and as soon as I depressed the brake that same fuse popped. Does anyone have anything idea on how I can find the short in the wiring? Because I already went through and replaced all of the bulbs.

 

Start with easy......


Take out all the bulbs and try it. If it pops, it's most likely at the switch on the brake pedal. If it doesn't pop, then introduce them one by one and test until you find the culprit socket or wiring near the socket.

 

Thanks man, I'm going to try that now because I was thinking it could be the brake light switch, but wasn't sure. How do you diagnose when this switches usually go bad?

 

when that happened to me, i took all the lights out and checked them out one by one. finally found the problem, there was a screw in a hole that didn't belong and it was shorting out the brake lights when i hit the pedal. took it out and wrapped the wire, also put dielectric grease in all of the sockets for a better connection. no issues since.

 

Where exactly was the location where you found the screw that was causing the short in the brake lights?

 

it was in a hole where it wasn't supposed to be, so i'd say check all the rear lights by pulling them all out. car is old and probably needs fresh grease and a bulb or 2.

 

Pull the bulb(s), inspect it/them and the connector(s), possibly corroded or shorted at connector...install a new fuse w/o bulbs installed and press brake pedal! If it blows upon install or braking you have a short...Pull fuse and check non power side for ground using continuity...