Brake light fuse blowing

tubby210

When I press the brake pedal the fuse blows but only if the boot is shut. When the boot is open it doesn't happen. I have changed the bulbs. I have looked at the wiring by the boot hinge and there is a lot of bare wires and wires that don't join onto any other wires

Nodding_Donkey

Bare wires are not good and I suspect that is the source of your problem.

tubby210

Nodding_Donkey wrote: »

Bare wires are not good and I suspect that is the source of your problem.

What I don't understand is that if the wires don't join why does everything work until I shut the boot

forgotmyname

Because they are shorting out on the bodywork when shut.

High level brake light working?

tubby210

forgotmyname wrote: »

Because they are shorting out on the bodywork when shut.

High level brake light working?

So if I join these wires and put tape round the bare wies it should be ok do you think

tubby210

Or do I just put tape round as it is now

scotsbob

You need to look at your brake wiring and any bare wire should have insulating tape put around it.

AdrianC

Without wanting to offend, if you're asking such basic questions, it's probably worth you just taking it to a garage or specialist auto-electrician. Just connecting random wires is not the greatest of plans.

Everything metal on the car is earthed to the battery -ve, so any short between a live and metal is going to cause a heavy current draw and (hopefully...) blow a fuse.

marksandsparx

Did you change the bulbs, then it started faulting? If so, and if you fitted the capless 5watt bulbs ( no metal cap on the bottom). just remove the bulbs again and check that the two wire prongs are aligned properly. I have see the exposed metal on the bulb pointed across the bottom of the bulb, causing a short circuit.

This also depends if it has a loom to the rear hatch or contacts.

forgotmyname

If the wires have rubbed then you need to check they are intact and not broken or frayed.

Even a few broken strands will cause the remaining wire to run hotter than it was designed for. The remaining strands will need to carry more power.

Just taping faulty wires is not the way to go.