Parking lights keep blowing fuse on 87 astro van?

Answer 1

Fuses That "Blow" Repeatedly

Without being able to "hands on" troubleshoot the circuit served by the repeatedly blowing fuse, none of us can identify the specific defect which is causing your problem.

Therefore, the following generic answer can be applied to any electrical circuit, whether in a vehicle, or in a building, whether direct current [DC], or alternating current [AC].

Fuses [and Circuit Breakers] are safety devices designed and installed in electrical circuits TO PROTECT the conductors [wires] and other components from short circuit conditions and/or overload conditions which cause an extremely large flow of electrical current [measured in Amperes], which causes overheating of the conductors that results in damage to the insulation and the conductors.

And in a worst case scenario, the probability of a FIRE which could destroy the vehicle, house, or other structure in which the circuit is located.

When a fuse or Circuit Breaker [and replacement fuses, or repeatedly "tripping" Circuit Breakers] "blow," especially if it happens repeatedly, is an indication of an UNSAFE CONDITION in that circuit, usually a short.

The fuse or circuit breaker is doing what it was designed, intended, and installed to do, that is to protect the conductors and components of the circuit which it serves.

The proper "fix" for this issue is for a qualified technician, who knows what he or she is doing, to troubleshoot the involved circuit, find and identify the defect, and make proper repair [s], BEFORE replacing the fuse again [with the properly sized fuse or before resetting a circuit breaker].

Some ignorant few people will suggest installing a larger fuse or breaker to solve the problem, BUT that will only increase the hazard, not correct it.

Do not follow "bad" advice by installing a larger fuse in a misguided attempt to correct the problem. To install an oversized fuse would almost guarantee damage to the wiring and the probability of an electrical system fire.

I'm the one that ask that question and here it was I found.... I traced down the wiring harness to the fuse box where I found the rear wiring disconnects from the fuse box...this way when you put in the fuse you can isolate the problem to the front or the rear of the van....when I put a new fuse in all the front, dash etc... lights worked fine...meaning it was in the rear......pulled the wiring harness out leading all the way back to the rear and it had all of 4 wires going to the rear tail lights....where it separated to the left and right I cut the left side out then tried the fuse again.....it blew meaning it was in the right side....then sliced back the left side together and cut the right side and replaced fuse...it now did not blow the fuse and all worked except the right rear which I narrowed down to the one right upper parking light socket was bad...replaced it and put all wiring back...works great now...that is the kind of info I was looking for when I asked the question but, the electrical advice is good procedure for safety reasons Thanks