Fuse 8 keeps blowing

[JAMESEBARNETT]

Hi all, I’ve just bought a ‘98 bongo and the side lights, rear running lights and dashboard lights don’t work. I’ve read a few posts on this forum about how to fix problems with fuse 8 and I think I’ve tried the most common solutions so looking for further advice. The problem I have is that fuse 8 blows every time I switch the sidelights on. I’ve tried taking out the bulbs and checking the wiring around the fittings, I’ve also switched out the relay and unplugged the aftermarket stereo. None of these things have helped at all. Where do I go next?

It’s not a massive problem, in that the garage we bought the bongo from are happy to repair it under the warranty they gave us. However, it’s a 4 hour round trip and I’d rather not do it if there’s a simple fix!

[g8dhe]

Welcome aboard!

Unfortunately the fuses have differing number schemes depending on year and between the front and back of the fuse panel! The internal X03 panel ones are;
So your number 8 fuse maybe the :
Top row left - Red 10 Amp - Unswitched power, internal lights, alarm, ECU backup power etc.
or
Top row right - 10 Amp Red or 15 Amp Blue depends on year - which is ancillaries fuse radio, 12v power sockets etc.

Neither should be associated with the external indicator lights etc. A list of fuse types and functions are here http://www.g8dhe.net/bwm/

The fuse for the lights you mention is X02 block under the bonnet;

x02-tail.jpg (15.33 KiB) Viewed 1430 times

If that fuse blows on insertion then it suggests a short circuit in the wiring loom to earth between the fuse and the relay. If it blows after switching on the lights then it suggests a short to earth on the lamp wiring after the relay - this wire runs all around the van to so many lamps!! Its possible that you even have a lamp itself that has blown and is causing a short circuit in which case you need to inspect ALL the lights to find the faulty one

[JAMESEBARNETT]

Thanks for the reply. For me fuse 8 is under the bonnet and says tail on it and is a blue micro blade 15amp. It powers the internal dash lights, rear running lights and side lights.

[g8dhe]

Right so the next question is does it blow on insertion or only after the lights are turned on and the relay operates, probably only briefly! If the latter then there is a short after the relay that is blowing the fuse.

[JAMESEBARNETT]

Hi Geoff, yes the fuse only blows when the lights are activated on the stalk. The fuse is okay otherwise. So it sounds to me like it’s probably worth letting the garage fix the issue under warranty, because as you say it could be any lamp or fitting on the circuit! Thanks for your help. I’ll be back if the garage draw a blank!

[g8dhe]

Yes that is the one circuit I hate trying to debug, it runs all the way from the bonnet down both sides and around the rear. Most common problem is a lamp that has blown but left metal traces across the supports. Another cause is damage to the loom itself if there has been any welding done without sufficient care to protect cables behind the panels

[JAMESEBARNETT]

Here’s a thought, could it be a corroded reversing light fitting that’s causing the problem? When I was pulling out the rear bulbs to check them I couldn’t get the driver’s side reversing light out of the fitting as it was rusted in. I discarded as the problem because the bulb still works when the van is put in reverse and when I checked online it didn’t seem to be on the fuse 8 circuit.

[g8dhe]

The reversing light only comes on when you select reverse gear, not just when you put the sidelights on.