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Luvless_69Chevy · Mar 26, 2008, 10:55 PM

I have an interesting problem on my 69 el camino. It keeps popping fuses for the tail lights and turn signals. I thought I fixed it by cleaning up the contacts on the tail light housings, but it only worked until I turned on the heater. I thought nothing of it and considered it a coincidence. I cleaned the contacts again out back and it worked for a few days. Then it just popped again for no reason. I bought a short finder and tried to use it, but the needle does not budge at the fuse block like it is supposed to. I thought it was maybe my aftermarket electrical gauge, but I replaced that. Now the turn signal fuse is popping. I got a fix it ticket for the tail lights and it has to be fixed by 4-18, or else I have to pay $127. This is my ONLY car so I have to fix it or get another ticket.

I can put a new fuse in it and drive it about a block before it pops again. I have looked over the wiring diagram for hours on end and have checked all the wiring that is viewable. (Some wiring is in between the body and the bed so I can not see it.) Could it be something inside the column, or something behind the dash? I SUCK at electrical problems, and hope someone can help me out on this. I am about to go out and buy a whole new wiring harness and just replace the whole thing.

I can take pics of anything if needed to help out. ANYTHING I CAN DO TO HELP I WILL TRY!! Thanks in advance!!

MOWERMAN2468 · Mar 27, 2008, 10:02 AM

You definitely have a short. Do you know how to check for continuity?

kitch428 · Mar 27, 2008, 03:45 PM

You can make a short finder. 2 short wires, a peanut bulb, 2 small alligator clips. Put in place of the fuse. A barely lit bulb is normal. A brightly lit bulb is high amp draw and a short.
You can wiggle test the wiring from front to back while someone watches the bulb brightness.
Most of the time, it's where the harness goes through the body grommet and makes a sharp bend.
Wild guess here, but I think you need new tail light harnesses. They're just plain OLD!

Luvless_69Chevy · Mar 27, 2008, 04:14 PM

I don't know where to check for continuity, but I do know how.

I have a short finder, but that sounds like it might work better. I plan on buying a whole new harness for the entire car, since it is almost 40 years old.