LE Edition. Red Running Lights on Trunk not working due to blowing fuse.

mechanicaleng

• Blinkers, Ok,
  
• Hazzards Ok,
  
• Bkup Lights OK.
  
• All front lights OK
  

Fuse is still ok when ACC key is on.
Fuse is still ok when engine starts.
Turn Lights To ON. Fuse blows.
It is the second 10A fuse ( typically labled TAIL ) on the fuse box diagrams.

I've removed the bulbs, and checked to see if they were shorting at the terminal.
Fuse blows with NO bulbs in sockets when lights are turned on.
Any idea what just suddenly goes bad and makes this fuse die the instant the lights are turned on?

Thanks,
ME

mechanicaleng

Also license plate light goes out.

mechanicaleng

SOLVED So, I seem to have stumbled upon a very strange problem. For all you out there, I return victorious, but still slightly ignorant. (But only on a minor detail) Behold, a possible solution to your strange shorting problems!! After removing the vinyl covers off the hatchback disconnecting all the plugs, testing to be sure the fuse didn't blow, and then reconnecting the common ground connector. ( Still no blow. ) Followed by the common power connector. ( All the reds and greens ) We had another blow. So the problem was in the back door, but not any of the light plugs because all the lights were removed.

After measuring out all the ohm readings from each green wire on each plug back to ground ( all but one was open circuit ) the one outstanding strange plug read 35 ohms to ground on the green wire. Now the lights themselves are only four ohms, so this didn't seem like a likely cause for the short, but on the left license plate light, toyota pulls power off the green license plate light, to this strange box... which I show you. Its unmarked, no-numbers, no part id's. I have no clue. ( So if you KNOW what it is... hey doc, I'd sure like to know what the appendix does that I just cut out. ) Because when I removed that side tap, ( and the manufacturers just stripped away some insulation, wire wrapped it, and taped it up. So cheap. ) ...Anyway... started the engine, turned on the lights.... voila... all the lights came back on. No blown fuse.

So... if you're running lights, and license plate lights are blowing their fuse for some strange reason. Cut out this component and see if you're fine. Gl and happy trials.