keeps blowin dash light fuse

[mickashay]

my 96 defender keeps blowing the fuse that runs dash cluster lights,front drivers parking light and drivers rear stop light which is a aftermarket led,in the fuse box though its in the spot of the right blinker fuse should be but blinker is working fine have checked all them,it pops pretty loud when i hit the lights on,head lights still work fine,
just looking for ideas where to check and how to check,was gunna start at front parker light as that was blown when i bought the car but never had a problem after i changed it for 6 months till now,
cheers mick

[phibbzy]

Had the same issue with my '95 defender not long ago and it was the source of many frustrating searches.

If you have ruled out bulbs and bulb carriers and if you're not afraid of making "exploratory cuts", find the wire that runs out of the firewall into the front right wing and cut it close to the fuse box in a manner that will be easy to solder back up. If the fuse does not pop then you have most likely a dead short where the wire runs through the bulkhead.

Easiest solution is running a new wire through the grommet on the right of the fuse box and patching it into the run around the wing area. If the day comes where you strip your dash down to the bulkhead you can fix the run properly then but this will get you by until then.

If it still pops, solder it back up and snip the dash feed and test again, each time narrowing your point of failure.

I'm far from an auto electrician but this is how I fixed it when it happened to mine.

[shining]

You could also;
1. Turn the lights on in a dark place while looking at the firewall penetration you might see an arc to the body as the fuse blows
2. Disturb the cable bundle at the grommet before turning on the light. If it then doesn't blow that will be the source of the problem.

Cheers,

[isuzutoo-eh]

Put an indicator bulb across the fuse holder, my gadget has crocodile clips and a bayonet fitting for ease of use. If there is a short the bulb will glow, if it doesn't glow there is no short. Cheaper than buying lots of fuses for troubleshooting!

[Judo]

Do all of your exterior lights work OK? They are also part of the circuit as your dash lights will only stay on if your parkers are on. Something else easy to check before more complex options...

[mickashay]

Been over the truck tonight,have found nothing wrong with exterior lights they all work,did find a cut red wire next to the light stalk inside the steering Column but carnt find anything it could go to,is only short and runs of a connector with a red running to the light switch,checked wire behind speedo and cluster all looked good,all looks good where wires run through firewall to fuse box but gave them a jiggle,once I get down to my house on the weekend will try a couple of things suggested but looking like a auto elect is needed

[jboot51]

Don't forget the cigar lighter glow ring and the radio illumination wires

[mickashay]

Don't forget the cigar lighter glow ring and the radio illumination wires

Found the fault in the cigar lighter the previous owner had some funky wiring,sorted a few wires put new connectors on and seems all good but yet to drive and distance yet