Any Fuse-Blowing Diagnostic Tricks?

[Alex Kowalski]

Since you've tried disconnecting every one of the components at the ends of the circuit (did you do that all at once, or one at a time?)  unfortunately the only thing that I can think of is the tried-and-true, time-consuming method of testing continuity on each separate leg of the circuit using the wiring diagram, and if necessary, visually inspecting each leg of the harness from the fuse box all the way to the component(s), until you find the short.  Yeah it's a pain!

In the past, I have had success on a couple of occasions (which I've attributed to luck) by replacing the fuse and then opening various compartments (trunk, glove compartment, doors) one at a time with the engine running until the fuse blew, but that's the definition of trial and error.  

If somebody has a better idea, I'm all ears.  ;)  

The only other thing that I can think of is that maybe there's an intermittent, internal short in the fuse/relay panel itself.  Sorry, but I don't have the wiring diagram for that car.  Good luck!  and please tell us what you find.

Cheers,
Alex Kowalski
'87 5KCSTQ


> Message: 9
> Date: Sun, 16 Jan 2005 08:07:02 -0500
> From: "gwbutler" <gwbutler at net1plus.com>
> Subject: Any Fuse-Blowing Diagnostic Tricks?
> To: <quattro at audifans.com>
> Cc: george.butler2 at verizon.net
> Message-ID: <200501160807.AA1607991560 at net1plus.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
> 
> Hello all,
> 
> My 84 4ksq has been entertaining an electrical gremlin for a very long time.  
> I've made numerous attempts to get to the bottom of the problem and each shot at 
> it makes the problem more perplexing.  I'm hoping that a lister has resolved the 
> indentical issue.  
> 
> The problem is that the car keeps blowing the S17 fuse (supports the blower, 
> radio, antennae, cigar lighter, glove box light, etc).  What makes the problem 
> complex is that the car doesn't blow the fuse consistently.  I have gone months 
> without blowing the fuse, only to hit a period (like now) where the fuse blows 
> everytime I use the car...but not always immediately!