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Car Forum / Driving, Maintenance, Tuning / General Car Topics / December 2005finding a short circuit
Is there a systematic way, not involving expensive or sophisticated instruments, to track down a short circuit? I have an old ('82) Chevy Malibu in which the Clock/Courtesy fuse (20 Amp) continues to blow. Naturally, lots of things are on this circuit (horn, clock, dome light, alert buzzer, trunk light, glove box light, etc), so I'm sure it won't be easy to find. Nevertheless, I'd like to fix it if possible. The mechanic has told me that it'd be a very time-consuming (and expensive) job for him, so I've opted not to pursue it from that angle. I'm willing to invest in some instruments if they'd improve my chances for success. Do I need the circuit diagrams for the car? Any suggestions will be appreciated. Thanks Lynn Willis You can use a light bulb or a trouble light in place of the fuse and start unplugging things until it goes out. You will maybe have to tape over the door switch on the open door to help there. With plastic fuses, you can use a multimeter on volts across the two small metal tabs that stick out the top of the blown fuse. When the volts stop with the clock unplugged you have found the trouble. A bad light bulb can cause a short. I would start with them. Then maybe unplug the clock next. An inexpensive manual like a Haynes will have the circuit diagram in it which can be a big help. Mike 86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00 88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's Canadian Off Road Trips Photos: Non members can still view! Aug./05 http://www.imagestation.com/album/index.html?id=2120343242 (More Off Road album links at bottom of the view page) > Is there a systematic way, not involving expensive or sophisticated > instruments, to track down a short circuit? I have an old ('82) Chevy [quoted text clipped - 11 lines] > > Lynn Willis Thanks. I'll give it a try. Lynn |
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