850 wagon base, turn, hazards and high beam blows fuse

[TerrDawg]

UPDATE NOV 11 - I changed out the turn signal switch, checked power at both sides of fuse, unplugged the new junkyard hazard switch, now there's only power at one side of fuse (normal) replaced the fuse, plugged in hazard switch - viola, everything worked fine .... For about ten minutes, fuse blows again
I'll check the top of tailgate / roof area, as I misunderstood the first time I read that. Will let you know tomorrow
Thanks again,
Terry

[wizechatmgr]

Yeah, check right around that upper left hinge. It seems to be a wear point and the cause of many issues. Odds are a wire or two is chaffed and when you go over a bump or get just the right vibration it grounds out.

[TerrDawg]

Uh, yeah....No
Investigated the upper hinge area, removed interior, found area discussed ... Unplugged the connector when nothing looked bad, put in new fuse, everything worked .. great right?!? Wrong, fuse blows five minutes later - all the while I ask myself why would this blow the fuse, it's not even on the circuit.. There's wiper, third brake light and license plate lights, so I figured either you're joking and thought that would be funny or you were bored.. Either way, I'm ready to sell it and I'm thinking it could only be the ignition switch

[abscate]

It's worth having a look at the easy stuff, considering the next step is dash off to inspect the wiring looms and find the wiring short in the loons. That's about 10 hours work for dash on/off

[TerrDawg]

Ok, so one thing no one had mentioned was that there is another relay besides the hazard flasher, apparently it's under the dash on the left side, I'll chase that direction - and if nothing is found, I'll sell the thing before 10 plus hours of digging thru the dash, 16 years in the body shop gave me enough experience to do it, but enough intelligence to not do it... It's blue, base model, shows 121K, rear spoiler, factory alloys, manual seats, no sunroof probably sell for $850 to $1,200 depending how angry I get, no kidding so make offers

[TerrDawg]

.
I'd take out all the turn signal bulbs out on all four corners of the car and see if it blows the fuse when you use turn signal. If it doesn't, then put the bulbs back in one at a time and see which bulb blow the fuse.

What if it still blows the circuit? Obviously it's elsewhere but here's what I've chased down on my 855: changed turn signal switch, changed E flasher/relay, bought a second flasher relay for left under side of dash but cannot locate flasher to replace it... see other relays, no flasher. Also taken apart tailgate wiring looking for "stretched wires" even tho they are not on a turn nor hazard circuit, also tore apart front end chasing evidence of previous accident but no pinched or frayed wires ... I think that's it... please advise and Thanks again
Terry Evans

[abscate]

Which fuse is blowing?

[WhatAmIDoing]

Number 13 fuse: Hazard Flashers, Headlight Flashers, Alarm. Brake lights, headlights, highbeams, turn signals are all on different fuses. The alarm is spread across 3 fuses and a relay. Does the fuse only blow when you use the flashers? Does the fuse blow without touching the flashers? Have you tried using a 20 amp fuse? This can narrow down whether it's a short or if something is just drawing more than it should (aftermarket lights). You are only blowing fuse 13 correct?

Pulling out all the flashers only tells you if the bulb/assembly is blowing the fuse. If there is a short in the wires, it will still blow.

[wizechatmgr]

May be time to start tracing the wiring harness with a multimeter and measuring resistance if you're not fully set on selling it.

If I were trying to troll you I'd suggest changing the blinker fluid =)

[abscate]

The obvious thing I missed here is to completely disassemble the area were repairs were evident. From experience, about 90% of electrical repairs on cars is garbage