Fuse keeps blowing!! No tail lights, cant drive!!

[CanuckQx4]

Hey guys Ive got a nice big problem. I noticed last night my tail lights werent working. Sure enough when I checked the underhood fuse box this morning. My 10am "TAIL" fuse was blown. Dont know how long its been blown for....

Swapped in another and it blew again instantly....

Figured maybe something was up with the light bulbs? So I bought new ones, new fuse, popped again...instantly

I also swapped the taillight relay in the other box with the a/c one (same style) and another fuse still popped

So here I sit, unable to drive in the dark with no taillights.

What do you guys think it could be?? Is there any diagnostic I could do as far as testing for shorts or anything?? I have a multimeter, but would need a little assistance on exactly how to go about checking it....

Appreciate any help!!!!

[PEZi]

Sounds like you have something shorting out somewhere. Problem is.... where? Could be a long search but I wish you luck.

[CanuckQx4]

I dont really get how to check for a short...

I just read online that I should check my bulb sockets somehow for the short. Any explanation on how that is done? And what my readings should be??

I cant drive anywhere with no lights in my black vehicle... much to dangerous!!

[sbird1]

You need to get you a multimeter or a test light and start checking stuff out. Just start poking wires and checking your grounds making sure that the amp levels are where they should be. Wiring is always a headache. Good luck!

[CanuckQx4]

I dont exactly get how to just jump in and do that stuff, I dont know which wires should be reading what.

Should have have the lights on during testing, fuse in, etc

[sbird1]

The fuse connects a circuit. The wire coming into that fuse is carrying too much current. You're going to have to trace the wire. Follow where ever the wire goes. If it splits, follow each of those. You should be able to look up what the proper level of current is supposed to be traveling through the wire. You already know that the wire coming into the fuse is hot (carrying too much current) so at some point, there's going to be a point where at one part of the wire, the current is correct, and further down the current is too high. Find that point, and you should be able to see if there is a problem with the wiring. Most likely it's going to be a bad ground, a wire with the sheathing melted off or something. There is a physical fault in the wire somewhere. You just need to find out where. Hope that helps...