2001 ford explorer keeps blowing headlight fuse #12

[erikjrec]

Ok guys,

Have a 2001 explorer v6 with a mainlight fuse #12 problem.

The lights will work with new fuse but with in 30 min of driving it will blow....

I removed the headlight switch and it looks new inside? vehicle has only 50,000 on it.

The mfs is in this circuit as well but no turn signal or other action is happening to cause the fuse to blow?

 

[Dono]

Shorting?
Are high wattage headlight bulbs being used?

Just guessing. This isn't a common issue you are having.

 

[erikjrec]

no my wife got on the free way yesterday and they went out blew fuse.

Standard bulbs, would the mfs cause the fuse to blow?

I made it 20 miles before it blew today.

 

[Dono]

Are you seeing any frayed, or wires without insulation. Something must be shorting causing the fuse to blow.

You are going to have to source a wiring diagram. Sorry

 

[erikjrec]

Vehicle is in great condition looked at all wiring for ground contact.

No bumps cause the fuse to blow just time of running headlight circuit overload must be the mfs?
The main switch looked like new inside.

 

[budwich]

head light switch is a good candidate.

 

[erikjrec]

Yes i thought so as well but removed took switch apart it looks like new inside.
i would think if there was resistance it would show on contacts.

 

[killer.jensen]

Check the grounds and make sure they are good. Also I had a car that would blow the headlamps, The regulator had gone bad and was overcharging.

 

[Turdle]

You didn't state your location in your information. Do you have daytime running lamps?

How does the connection look in the power distribution panel(where the fuse plugs in). You might have a heated up bad connection going on in there--

There could be a problem with the LOM?
The MFS could be suspect--do you think dimming--brights has anything to do with it?

 

[erikjrec]

Ok ran in the driveway 30 min high beams on and 30 min low beams fuse held.
Rocked from side to side from to back to reproduce short.... Nothing.
I will look for exhaust contact or other maybe on the freeway temp is up connecting short to ground.
I messed with dimmer all switches and notta.

How would the lom affect ?
I will say my drivers window won't go down but a few inches maybe a short there not likely
#12 is mainlights mfs and turn signals etc.p

 

[budwich]

was this "drive way test" before or after you took the light switch apart? Do you have a LOM? Do you have DRL's? do you have "autolamps"?. Did you try moving the steering tilt up and down?

 

[erikjrec]

I don't have either of the above.

Just blew again after freeway trip. Around town many short trips nothing.

I will try the tilt to see if I can produce it I'm stumped....

 

[killer.jensen]

I would bet money on you having an over-charging issue.

 

[erikjrec]

Elaborate?

 

[det107]

The regulator had gone bad and was overcharging.

Get the alternator checked, the internal regulator(s) could be going bad-

 

[Dono]

So? Regulator gone on your alternator? Any resolution?

 

[erikjrec]

Mind of its own driving local no issues long trip they go out.

How would a regulator blow fuses?

Increase in voltage, current would be unchanged.

It's very frustrating....

 

[Turdle]

Do you use high beams on local trips? highway trips?

 

[erikjrec]

No high beams just use low beams.

Tried tilt when lights are on and moved around wires to headlights no shorts....

I have not removed mfs but this does not sound like mfs issue.

 

[budwich]

pull the connectors on both bulbs, turn on our "non lights", go for a freeway drive... of course during the day... does your fuse survive? Repeat test with just one bulb then the other. Slow, time consuming, and gas eater but hopefully helps narrow things a bit.