Blowing fuse!!!

[J13 MUD]

Guys

Can anyone help me with this problem? I have a 300TDI SWB Defender which has a problem with the nearside side lights fuse blowing. I have checked out everything I can think of to fix the problem, even changing the ignition switch after finding a bad connection which would cut out the ignition if you just touched the wires but all to no avail.

The fuse is fine and the lights work perfectly even with the ignition on until you start the engine then the fuse blows. I have even changed the fuse with the engine running and driven 20 miles with no problem, but as soon as you turn the ignition off and restart the engine the fuse blows!!!

Any ideas what could cause this problem will be greatly appreciated.

Wishing you all a very happy Christmas.

Jim :?



 

[Range Rover Blues]

That's a very good one.  I wonder if there is some sort of weird earth fault going on, it blows whilst you are cranking then or the moment the engine fires up?

I presume the fuse only blows if the lights are switched on :-k

[300TDi Disco]

It does seem abit like an earth problem.

[J13 MUD]

Sorry guys, I should have mentioned that the fuse only blows if the lights are switched on.

Jim

[ChrisV8]

Got to be an earthing problem from the starter I reckon, I would check and clean every engine to chassis earth as a start, you appear to have sorted evrything connected with lights and ignition. Earthing faults can be horrendous and follow the Lucas Prince of Darkness pattern all over the car !!

Best of luck.

[andrew2986]

A quick earth check would be get a jump lead and clip it direct to the starter motor body  and then to the -ve on the battery ( im presuming its -ve earth) try and start the car and see if the fault is still there.

Andy

[Range Rover Blues]

Good idea.  I'd also try pulling the bulbs out of the sidelights in question, plus has anybody checked that the lights aren't flickering whilst you crank the engine :-k