Reverse light fuse keeps blowing

[GreenWater]

The reverse light wasn't working so I checked the fuse and it was blown, so I replaced that, but it keeps blowing. I have also replaced the reverse light switch on the tranny. Fuse still blows. It looks like power goes from the fuse to the switch on the tranny and then to the light bulbs. Everything appears to be fine visually, and I am confused. I don't think a loose ground would cause the fuse to blow. A positive wire being grounded would cause the fuse to blow, right? That would mean that I have a cut wire grounding itself to the car SOMEWHERE? Has anyone else had this problem.

By the way, all the other tail lights still work fine.

I think the next thing that I need to try would be removing the wire that goes to the switch on the tranny and seeing if the fuse still blows, which I don't think it will. That would mean that the problem lies after the switch right?

Thanks

[pfarah]

Does it blow as soon as you replace it or does the fuse blow once you shift into reverse and the reverse lights go on? You seem to have a short. Look in your tail light assemblies and wiring back there including the ground bolt. Inspect for corrosion, open wires, breaks, or anything funky looking.

[GreenWater]

It doesn't blow when I put the fuse in, it blows when I shift into reverse. That should mean that the short is after the switch on the transmission. I guess I should be able to figure it out with a multimeter. I just thought there might be something that other people knew about. Thanks

[pfarah]

You could try and remove both reverse light bulbs then shift into reverse. The circuit should remain open then test voltage. There may be a pinched wire or an area with missing insulation that's grounding out. Definitely look at the rear hatch area for wire discrepancies then look at the fuse panel.

[bsimpson]

Gday mate. Just seeing how you went fixing it? I have the same problem.

[guru944]

Good News:

You can incorporate 2 Rectifier diodes (1n4001) in series with the reverse break light circuit. This will only allow current to flow in one direction. Install one before Light and second after to ground, This will work....You definitely have reverse current and a floating ground somewhere in this circuit. Buy from Amazon.com. Easy to install

[GreenWater]

That sounds like one way to fix the problem. Ideally you would want to figure out why there is current going to the light and solve that issue. Maybe a ground or broken wires (which I hate trying to find).

That was an old thread. I fixed my car by selling it. lol. But I told the new owner all the problems before he bought it.