1998 Buick Century blowing 15amp fuse

BRUCE GAVARNY

MEMBER
1998 BUICK CENTURY
6 CYL
FWD
AUTOMATIC
60,000 MILES

The fuse I am blowing is a 15A that says it is feeding the tail lights and lic plate light, however when the fuse blows it also takes out the interior dash or cluster lights. This was my moms car, when I got the car the lights where out. So I took it to service guy that use to work for a buick dealership. He replaced the light or dimmer switch and put in a new 15A fuse. It worked well for 6 months. Now when the 15A fuse blows and I replace it, it will work for about 5 minutes (keep in mind this is happening when all the lights are running at night.) When I go to install a new fuse just after it blows it will not hold at all and blow right away. Could I have another bad dimmer switch? Do they make more than 1 dimmer switch for this car? Should I try a 20 Amp fuse? Help Bruce G

2 Replies

BILLYMAC

MECHANIC
2,204 POSTS

Hi no if it calls for 15 amp then you should use a 15. But check the panel and make sure it requires a 15 amp.

Yes if the last time the dimmer switch fixed it then possibly this is the prob again. You can unplug dimmer and see if still blows

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Monday, September 13th, 2010 AT 6:41 PM

BRUCE GAVARNY

MEMBER
3 POSTS

OK guys I am still having the same problem. I have all the components (Radio, heat control, cluster) I can get out from the dash, I think I am looking for a bare wire chaffing. When power is put to the out put side of the dimmer and I hit some small bumps the 15amp fuse for the tail lights go out. When I keep the dimmer off the fuse will not blow. I know this is wired correct as I do have the electric book for this year.I have traced the harness as best as I can under the dash. Tight area to work in. I even took the harness out of the drivers side door and removed the door to check the area where the harness passes from the body to the door. I thought I found the problem when I pulled on the harness between the door and the fuse went out. The fuse also went out another time when I pulled on the harness to the left of the radio. Not sure if the 15 amp fuse heats up and it just happens to blow when I touch some of those areas. I have pulled on the harness at other other times and nothing blows. I am determined however I must have 30 hours into this. Am I looking in the wrong area. You also had a guy back on april 12 the name was T. Morse who had the same problem any chance I can get his e-mail. Tech caradiodoc was working with him. Please Help Bruce G

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Sunday, October 24th, 2010 AT 1:50 PM