Dash lights and number plate lights not working

[luke w 0]

A while ago my dash lights and numbers plate lights stopped working. The fuse blows after a few seconds of replacing it. I've disconnected the number plate lights to see if they were the problem but it's still happening so I'm assuming it's to do with the dash. What would be the next thing to check? I'm not that clued up on electrics and but would like to sort this myself without paying someone to fix it for me.

[Supercharged 2]

Maybe try another headlight switch...

 

Did you actually unplug the numberplate lights? - maybe worth tracing the loom wiring to check it's not shorting on any sharp bodywork in the boot - have seen this happen after someones replaced the spoiler mech and not clipped the wiring back as it should be.

[luke w 0]

Yeah I unplugged the the number plate lights and had a good look around to make sure no wires were snagging or catching on anything and it all looked okay.

 

Is there a quick way to bypass the dash lights to make sure the number plate lights are okay?

[Supercharged 2]

What's not working currently? - heater control lights and anything that works from the dimmer etc?

 

If so then I would maybe look at the bulbs for these first before the clocks themselves

[luke w 0]

Apologies for the delayed response! None of the dash that lights up when the lights are on are working. It does all light up for literally a second before it blows the fuse (just to double check it is a 10a fuse?). I haven't had time to take out the headlight switch to look for anything funny there, but I did notice a plug unplugged in the boot. I've attached a poor photo, it should be plugged into one of the connectors but I'm not sure which one, any ideas?

 

 

I'm sure this isn't the cause of the problem, but it still could do with being plugged in.

[RW1 0]

Any will do. Its a loose brown earth wire and the others are all earths as well plugged into a common earth point on the spoiler frame.

 

Do't think will solve the problem though.

 

Headlight switch as advised.

 

.

[rickdonald 10]

Hi mate, don't know if this will help at all but mine started to blow this fuse a few weeks ago too, I noticed it happens when I turned the heater dial all the way to "hot". I'm not sure why i'm just guessing its shorting out somewhere, however I have just been playing with illuminating my heater dials so I think it may be related to that. Might be worth a shot though.

 

I haven't had time to take stuff apart though so cant really help much more, im just driving around without the heater on full!

[luke w 0]

Any will do. Its a loose brown earth wire and the others are all earths as well plugged into a common earth point on the spoiler frame.

 

Do't think will solve the problem though.

 

Headlight switch as advised.

 

.

 

Cool, will get that plugged in and pull the switch out and check it out.

 

 

Hi mate, don't know if this will help at all but mine started to blow this fuse a few weeks ago too, I noticed it happens when I turned the heater dial all the way to "hot". I'm not sure why i'm just guessing its shorting out somewhere, however I have just been playing with illuminating my heater dials so I think it may be related to that. Might be worth a shot though.

 

I haven't had time to take stuff apart though so cant really help much more, im just driving around without the heater on full!

 

Worth a try I suppose, the heater is always set on hot!