Taillight fuse and bulbs keep blowing in my new beater

[opponheimer]

I picked up a toyota solara for cheap, and noticed the taillights weren't working... The brake lights are working though. I replaced the taillight relay and as soon as i replace the fuse it blows, and the tail bulbs blow too.

I'm thinking i should just rewire the damn things run the power to the headlight switch or something... other than that i dont have that many ideas... does anybody know how to track down a short in a matter of minutes without tearing a car apart?

[projectRDM]

Aftermarket radio? Dimmer wire is grounded out probably. Other than that check all the bulbs, one could be blown and shorted out.

[opponheimer]

it does have an aftermarket radio.. .bulbs are fine.... worst case scenario if its not the dimmer wire.... would routing the power to both bulbs to the head light relay be sufficient?

[g6civcx]

I replaced the taillight relay and as soon as i replace the fuse it blows, and the tail bulbs blow too.

There's a taillight relay? Check ground.


does anybody know how to track down a short in a matter of minutes without tearing a car apart?

Get the FSM and trace out wires. It could be something simple or hard. Never know without checking.

[projectRDM]

it does have an aftermarket radio.. .bulbs are fine.... worst case scenario if its not the dimmer wire.... would routing the power to both bulbs to the head light relay be sufficient?

99% of the time it's behind the radio, pull it and see. Rerouting the circuit will burn shit up quick.