I think i have a short?

[savon]

Alright guys, i have an 82 chevy c-10, and i think it may have a short, i blew 2 fuses last night on the way home, the one for the break lights/hazards and the one for the blinkers and interior lights, every time i put a fuse in there it just blows, i'm not that good when it comes to electrical stuff, so i was wondering does anyone know how much it would be to have a short fixed at a shop?

 

[Rolex]

There's no such thing as an estimate on finding a short. It could be as simple as a wire in the trunk, or something in the harness under the dash. either way, it sounds like a hot line has rubbed through on something metal.

 

[RC Addict]

I have to concur. It is a long and tedious process to track down a short. Like Ralph said, you basically have to check from the bulbs back to the fuse panel. Tracing the wires all the way. I would start by looking anywhere the wires cross through or rub against metal.

You can and will find it. Eventually. Funny that you have two circuits shorting out at the same time though. Being that both, blinkers and tail lights, involve the back lights I would start by pulling the rear lenses and check the wiring there.

 

[Metalhead Matt]

Check the power wires going to the ash try. I had a similar problem years ago in my '78. If that isn't it, figure out what is all on the circuit you keep blowing and chase the wires. No fun way to do it.

 

[savon]

Thanks for all the help guys, me and a buddy of mine are gonna try to find out what it is tomorrow, and Cody the tail lights is the first thing that we're gonna check.

 

[Rolex]

I knew a guy in New York who was at his wit's end with blown fuses. He had already taken it to two other places, paid to have it repaired, and some where, without warning it would blow again. sometimes the same day, and sometimes after a week. I think it was the stereo and dome lights. Might have been a few other things involved, but I don't remember.
He offered me $100 if I could find the problem, and I started to check wires from the fuse panel out, with a volt meter. 10 minutes later his problem was solved and he handed me the C-note.




I was going to leave you hanging till you asked what it was.

He had little kids, so he took out the lighter so a kid couldn't get burned playing with it. I found a coin in there. Either a nickle or a penny. Every now and then, a bounce on the road would cause the coin to jump and short it just right.
Okay, it only took me 10 minutes to find it, so I gave him $70 change, and I also kept the nickle.
He left, calling me a genius.

 

[digger]

Probably one of his kids put it in there.

Savon, the wires split at the end of the frame. Be sure to check along there.
Most problems I have had with wiring on a truck were from the cab back.
Anyplace a clip could have come off and got against the exhaust, a shock?
Maybe the rubber grommets where the wires comes through firewall?
Maybe at the brake light switch?

Like the rest of the guys said, you may have to trace the wires all the way to the fuse box.

Hope it's something simple.

 

[savon]

I got it, there was a wire split at the end of the tail light wire, and it needed a headlight switch, and a stator....

 

[2revo1maxx]

That's cool, I was going to say you should start at the tailights, as they're are the first things to corrode and get fugly on ya.

 

[h8z2luze]

Chevy wiring is weird. On my 79 there was something messed up so when I honked the horn it blew the fuse that controlled the tank switch and fuel pump and it would just die. Very odd.