fuse keeps popping for rear lights....etc

[o4_boyracer_no1_o5]

just a quick question.....my fuse for my rear lights number plate and dash lighs keeps blowing the minute i switch the lights on any ideas also as my mx3 is a uk model i also notice the interior etc is diff and mines is a right hand drive and also bear in mind the wiring will be the same

i read early about someone putting in a head unit and it might be the dimmer wire maybe earthing....so i'll try that 2moro do any of use have any other thoughts

would be really much appreciated before i go to an autoelectrician....thanx...

[exdream_mx3]

mine was doing the same thing last week. Come to find out when they painted my car there were wires behind the back bumper that weren't taped up right and were barely together at all. Fixed the wires and the problem went away. Gotta love wiring problems!!!!

[PATDIESEL]

This is written assuming that you have basic knowledge of how to use an electrical tester.
It is a grounded power wire somewhere. You can verify this by pulling the fuse and checking for continuity between the "power out" side of the fuse and a ground. I dunno which side of the fuse that will be so check for voltage first so that you don't blow the tester. One side will show voltage and one side will show nothing.
If you get continuity from the out power side then you need to start looking for what is grounded. I'd start by looking at anything that was recently worked on or worked around. Most likely someone pinched a power wire when working on something. If you do not find anything then post back and we'll go from there.
Let us know what you checked and how you check it.

[o4_boyracer_no1_o5]

thanx guys al give that a try if anyone else has anything thoughts plz let me know.....

[Aston Wards]

most likely the dimmer wire...., have you put in a stereo recently? or made any changes?
it shouldn't make a difference that yours is a UK car

[o4_boyracer_no1_o5]

yes it sure was the dimmer wire...

[Tropical Emerald 1993]

today I went to replace one bulb on the licence plates that didn't work and then the other one burned out immediatly. maybe is better just to leave one working

[o4_boyracer_no1_o5]

sounds asthough there must be a bad earth in the socket because it pops the other light as though one is drawing to much current because there isnt a good enough earth to complete the circuit