'Tail' fuse keeps blowing! ughhh

[krispl]

Hi there!

I have an '04 T4R V8 Sport Edition 4x4. Right after I bought it I noticed that some of my center console illumination was out and after checking fuses in engine compartment and inside I found a blown 10amp tail fuse. I went ahead and replaced it along with some of the bulbs for AC knobs that were burnt out as well. The problem is that the fuse didnt last very long and burnt again, a total of three times.

Apparently the fuse controls tail lights, some of the interior lights and some other functions. From searching on this forum and online in general, it seems like it must be a grounding or damaged wire issue somewhere.
I have no idea where to go from here, so your help would be greatly appreciated!

 

[Acidmeld]

Check the condition of any trailer wiring. Rust and corrosion can create a short circuit and since its wired thru the taillights it would blow that fuse.

 

[krispl]

Check the condition of any trailer wiring. Rust and corrosion can create a short circuit and since its wired thru the taillights it would blow that fuse.

Are you referring to the trailer 'socket' below rear bumper? If yes then I looked at this one, just visually, it's not rusted or anything either...there isn't any aftermarket radios and etc. in car either just an aftermarket alarm..

What else could I inspect for corrosion/breakage and etc.?

 

[galactic_04]

an aftermarket alarm is probably hooked to the tail lights.

 

[krispl]

an aftermarket alarm is probably hooked to the tail lights.

Yes it must be. I will double check the areas where they tapped in to stock harness. I ve been having a feeling that this could be the cause but when I peaked at how they connected to wire harness it looks prestty well done, but you never know. I will double check them.

I was also thinking about just disconnecting aftermarket alarm...but am afraid that this could cause stock alarm to get messed up, i don't know...i have no experience with alarms..What do you guys think?

 

[krispl]

Ok. Last night I took plastic covers off on driver's side (kick panel and under steering wheel) and started looking over wiring and etc. There is an aftermarket alarm hooked up to stck wire harness in several places (under steering wheel, on side wall and in the bottom. Along with that there is a seperate box hooked up, which seems to be a 'Lo Jack'.

I checked all of the connections and re-did tape insulation in couple of spots.
They did pretty good job tapping aftermarket alarm into existing wire harnesses as far as quality goes but this still doesn't mean that something might be shorting there....

I'm considering disconnecting aftermarket alarm wiring from stock wire harness to determine if that's the cause of 'TAIL' (10AMP) fuse being burnt.

Does anyone have any idea if I was to do it if I'm going to have to program anything afterwards or if this is going to have effect on my stock alarm?

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

 

[krispl]

Problem fixed! I wound up disconnecting aftermarket alarm that came with car when I bought it. It wasn't too bad since it was all under driver's side dash. I connected wires back to stock setup and it's all good so far after couple of days! Yey!