FOSCshadow

i keep blowing the brakelight fuse. i have a plastic piece in between the exhaust pipes with a light that stays on, it was on the car when i bought it and i dont know what the correct term is, and the fuse blew out yesterday, and then after i got a new one it blew earlier today and this isnt the first occasion, any suggestions?

gotswap

Trace the wires and find the short. Not much else you can do other then remove the aftermarket light you speak of as it might be causing the problem.

Electrical shorts are a PAIN to find!!!!

xviper

Looks like a previous owner attempted to mimic the British rear "fog light" and did a crappy job of wiring it in. Get at the bulb and take it out, then see if the fuse keeps blowing. It may be a short in that circuit or having that extra light is too big a draw on that fuse.

Slows2k

Take out the added on light 1st.

FOSCshadow

would putting a 20 amp fuse in help at all? also the light stopped working im not sure if the bulb went out or not. i threw another 10 amp in for the time being and it hasnt blown yet and the "fog" light hasnt worked

Slows2k

DO NOT REPLACE THE FUSE WITH ANY HIGHER AMPERAGE RATING FUSE.

THIS IS HOW ELECTRICAL FIRES ARE STARTED.

Slows2k

Unless you have some basic understanding of how the circuit works, take you car to someone who does. It's safer for you and the car.

iam7head

no, please don't. it will stop blowing the fuse but instead the electrical system itself will melt and it will cost you a pretty penny to replace all the wires and electrical part.

FOSCshadow

alright, i now figured out that my "rear defrost" button is what turns that light on and off, so as long as i keep it off then i shouldnt blow a fuse correct?

and i know this is another dumb question but do they actually have a rear defrost?

xviper

A 2001 did not have a rear defrost unless it had a hardtop at one point. It sounds like someone installed the HT rear defrost switch to activate that European style rear "fog light" and tied it into the brake light power circuit.