Help! Dash light fuse blows immediately

[Crusty]

Hello,

I am having a problem with the 20 amp fuse in dash that controls dash lights and taillights. As soon as I install a new one and turn on the headlights...pow... it pops. I had just started having problems with the truck cranking slowly sometimes (other times is cranks fine...?????). I had to jump it today to get it to started after driving it all day. The dash voltmeter is showing a slightly lower charge rate than normal. I tightened all of the battery connections as prior to doiing the battery mod they would back out and cause the same issue (slow start due to bad connection and slight discharge on meter in dash.)

Anyone have any ideas?? This problem just started out of the blue. The only change tot he truck I have made lately is to reconnect the trailer brake controller wire under the bed (broken) and installing the new crossover pips this weekend.
;
I swear everytime I fix someting some other thing breaks.

I have been all over the threads and cant really find a problem similar to mine. I need a rescue on where to start with this thing!!.

Thanks,
Dave

 

[bison]

Sounds like you got a short some where,I would reinspect the wiring repair you done last.Disconnect the trailer brake controller,see if that solves the problem.

 

[buddy]

The headlight switches are known to suck and get real hot and then cause tail lights not to work and dash lights, and Im sure blowing fuses, get a high quality replacement part not the cheapest available. Otherwise youre going to have to do some wire chasing with a multimeter, seeing where the short to ground is.

And 3 to 2 trailer wiring converters always screw crap up. You changed something taillight related, so go break that wire again.

 

[Crusty]

The headlight switches are known to suck and get real hot and then cause tail lights not to work and dash lights, and Im sure blowing fuses, get a high quality replacement part not the cheapest available. Otherwise youre going to have to do some wire chasing with a multimeter, seeing where the short to ground is.

And 3 to 2 trailer wiring converters always screw crap up. You changed something taillight related, so go break that wire again.

Well I think I found it. I replaced the headlight switch (bosch..lifetime warranty) and unhooked a tail light that was acting up. It's currently operating on a 15 amp fuse (only thing I had handy) so I reckon that got it. Got the new tail light ready to put on and a 20 amp fuse (correct size) so thanks all.

I hadn't done anything to the lights on the truck so there wasn't any new wiring to break. I had fixed a short on the trailer brake controller (wire was broke under the flatbed) but that was done a couple weeks ago. I did buy new wires to rewire the trailer as it has been a couple years and thats about how long I can go without problems cropping up.

As a side note I called the local dealership for a price on a switch...$139 plus $60 for the install. The service guy said it was a 45 minute job. I didn't know how to replace the switch so I was set to spend alot of money. A buddy of mine showed me how easy it was to replace the switch so I bought one for $42 bucks and it took a whopping 5 minutes to replace. Makes ya kind of irritated at dealerships.

Thanks again all