Saxo VTS - Fuse 12 electrical problems

[PetrolHeadSeb]

I've got a problem with my car electrics. Something is causing fuse 12 to blow routinely which then knocks out my interior dash lights, front side lights, right hand rear tail light and the lights on warning buzzer.

Stragely, when the fuse has already blown, sometimes when I have my foot on the brake (only noticed this when stationary and when the lights are NOT on) the interior dash lights come on and the drivers side front side light comes on. I'm not sure whether the tail light comes on when this happens or not, I only know the side light is on from the reflection of the car in front.

I've had an auto electrician look at it and thought it was fixed, but the problem has just re-appeared, I have no idea what could be causing it, any help much appreciated!

[pk500]

have you put the wrong bulb in the tail lamp?

[PetrolHeadSeb]

Don't think so... I replaced the bulb recently with the recommended one from Halfords.

[pk500]

halfords thats a laugh! look where the bulb goes in should be a stop and tail bulb not an indicator bulb its quite common for the wrong bulb to be fitted causing that problem

[PetrolHeadSeb]

No, it's definitely the right bulb, I've seen it working properly and I've just checked it now.

Would have been nice, but my car problems never seem to be the simple ones.

[pk500]

well you`ll have to disconect ant thing what that fuse goes to put a new fuse in then reconect all conections one at a time until fuse blows then you`ll know where the problem is

[PetrolHeadSeb]

Yeah I think it's going to be a nightmare.

Thanks for your help though

[UnluckyTimmeh]

Is the rear light earthed?
If so I'd check the contact and make sure it's secure.

[PetrolHeadSeb]

Sneaky name change! It is earthed yes, I'll go and check the connection later, but the other lights in the cluster are all working fine so I'm guessing that may not be the problem?

[PetrolHeadSeb]

Fingers crossed, it looks like I might have this fixed.

Turns out to be a bulb, can't quite believe it myself, but looks like the bulb I had in the cluster was faulty. When the brake light came on it was also sending power through the tail light, which was then causing the fuse to blow.

Early days, but so far so good