Car is fixed, but fuse keeps blowing

[Whelan]

I noticed tonight while driving that since they replaced my headlamp, my parking lights, license plate lights, and tail lamps did not light up with the fog or headlamps. On top of that the dimmer for the gauges is always on max brightness and cannot be changed no matter what I set it too. The brake lights work when pressed and the turn/hazards come on. But for driving lights they do not work. I deduced it was the Tail fuse 15amp in slot 18. I pulled it to see it was blown. I replaced it (with all the lights off) and then when I went to test, it blew. I am not about to keep trying and I'm trying to figure out what could be causing this surge to make it blow each time I turn the headlight switch on. Any ideas before I call the insurance company to get it fixed.

[nygiantzz1]

It sounds like you have a short. I'll bet something got pinched against metal when the headlight assembly was replaced.

[Whelan]

I was thinkin that, I am just gonna have the insurance people fix it since they did the work, warrantied.

[dianebrat]

I had the same symptom after we installed a new CD HU, the harness wasn't designed for a Vibe and had 3 extra jumpers I didn't need. popped exactly the same fuse with exactly the same symptoms.just sayin...

[Whelan]

I think they pinched something when they put the new front quarter panel on cause the headlight was just borken and none of the housings for the bulbs were damaged.I am bringing it back to them tonight, and getting another rental. It's not a big deal to me cause they will fix it, it's warrantied, the lady is super nice at the place (Nancy) and said she would stay a little after 6 tonight if I was late. If it was an issue with the paint or the bumper they put on I would be pissed. But thoe body work came out incredible!

[Whelan]

Update:Car was pulling to the right a bit so I am having them do an alignment as well, dropped it off tonight, I think the issue stems from them using the original bulb connector for the parking lamp. I think during the crash it may have pushed some pins or wiring together causing an open circuit thus shorting the fuse over and over. They are taking it in to look and I got a rental today. Very accomodating as the lady stayed past 6pm closing to help me out. I am now driving a new Kia Optima LX, another POS if you ask me. Although I know have audio controls on the steering wheel, I am thoroughly convinced I will never own a Kia.

[nygiantzz1]

The Optima isn't too bad. Ours was very reliable and I feel it was well built, but not the most thrilling ride in the world. How do like that dampened touring suspension? kind of like driving a marshmallow. It was smooth and quiet, but boring. The more my wife drove the Vibe, the more she disliked the Kia. Hopefully you'll have your trix back in a day or two.

[Whelan]

Well I think I am spoiled in the Trix for sure. The new Kia Sportage had better steering response than this thing. It is definitely a floater. I do like the interior lighting colors though, kinda like the new Civic colors. But this is a fairly base model LX as well. The engines def. lack torque and my Trix feels like it has more oomph but all in all, I give it a 5. Not the worst car, not the best

[silver_vibe]

Holy thread revival Batman...Quote, originally posted by Whelan »...my parking lights, license plate lights, and tail lamps did not light up with the fog or headlamps. On top of that the dimmer for the gauges is always on max brightness and cannot be changed no matter what I set it too. The brake lights work when pressed and the turn/hazards come on. But for driving lights they do not work. I deduced it was the Tail fuse 15amp in slot 18. I pulled it to see it was blown. I replaced it (with all the lights off) and then when I went to test, it blew...My car just started doing this exact same thing. No accident. No changes to the vehicle what so ever in the past 6 months. Out of no where it just started blowing the Tail 15 amp fuse. I did replace the HU about 6 months ago, but the fuse didn't start going until two weeks ago.Does anyone have any ideas before I spend 4 hours trying to track down the short?

[silver_vibe]

I'll answer my own question (for future genvibers searching for similar info):I had the exact same scenario as dianebrat. The harness I used for my aftermarket HU had 3 unused connectors. I pulled them out of the harness with pliers and put everything back together. No more blown fuse. I think it's odd that it took months to start blowing the fuse, but who cares as long as it's fixed.