1988 Volvo 240DL Blowing 8A fuse that controls right side running lights and dash lights Checked switch replaced bulbs Removed regulator rheostat 2 relays switch Why does it still blow?

Answer 1

Having this same problem (same car, same year), and I've seen other forums asking the same question but without a final answer or solution. No doubt it is a common problem.

To troubleshoot I:

* replaced my bulbs with new and correct bulbs

* checked as much wiring as I could see * removed my dash light dimmer (rheostat) from the system

* removed the headlight switch from the system

* removed the main light relay from the system * removed the blown bulb relay from the system * removed the dash lights from the system * checked the bulbs in the dash

and it still blew the fuse.

I also went to the fuse box and found three wires going into that fuse. There is a

* wire for the front right running light * wire for the rear right running lights * wire for the dash lights When I remove the dash light wire, the fuse doesn't blow. This could be because

# The dash light wires between the fuse box and the disconnected dash lights are shorting out # One of the other two wires leads to a small short that in combination with the draw from the dash lights blows the fuse The next step would be to disconnect the other wires and reconnect the dash lights to see if they alone blow the fuse. If they do, then the problem is between the fusebox and the dash lights.

Very frustrating. Any help for those of us struggling with this would be very helpful. Is this a common problem? Is there a way to isolate this further? Is there anything in the dash light system that could do this beyond a rubbing wire? Have I effectively narrowed it down to that as a problem?

Help!!! Thanks.