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burning out fuses and blaring horn
kombi_kid - July 28th, 2003 at 04:53 PM

hey
i cant conquor this electrical problem maybe someone else can help
everytime i flick on the blinkers the fuse blows! and my bro said he put on the brake light and the blinkers come on!!! it never used to do it! and also i can connect up my horn as it just stays on!
anyone?
cheers
rhys

Purple Martin - July 28th, 2003 at 05:03 PM

Is this a new problem that just started recently? If so, did it start at the same time that you did some work on the kombi? Sorry to ask such a dumb question, but you never know...

There must be a short circuit somewhere because the fuse blows every time. The fuse is supposed to blow: it prevents the shorted wire from overheating and catching fire from the very high current that would be passing through it. Whatever you do, DON'T just stick tin-foil or whaterver in the fuse slot. If a fuse blows it blows for a good reason, it's saving your kombi from a fiery death! :o

To trace the short-circuit, you can use a multi-meter (set it to measure resistance) or a test lamp. Start by proving to yourself that there's close to zero resistance between the fuse termical (not the battery side, the other side) and the chassis. Then follow the wire(s) from the fuse terminal and keep testing at every connection/part until you find where the short-circuit is.

Good luck!

kombi_kid - July 28th, 2003 at 05:13 PM

hey
its in my type 3!! its started arfter i changed the highbeam switch (the wires are connected right)
cheers
rhys

kombikim - July 28th, 2003 at 05:17 PM

I had a similar problem, & it was that I simply plugged the multiple pin plug that goes into underneath the steering wheel one puin to far over, resulting in - headlight flasher stuck on, headlight flasher switch working horn left blinker working the right & & easily checked & fixed but I felt like an idiot

taths - July 28th, 2003 at 10:26 PM

possibly one of the following

1.twin filiment globe in the blinker globe?



2.trailer plug/alarm wiring?
good luck

vw54 - July 29th, 2003 at 07:47 AM

more than likely its the wiring plugs under the steering coloum.

kombi_kid - July 29th, 2003 at 10:41 AM

i did pull the plugs out when i did the high beam switch! i better check it!
cheers
rhys

vw54 - July 29th, 2003 at 07:01 PM

make sure that teh wires are sitting in the plugs correctly and that the plug pushes easily onto the connectors

kombi_kid - July 29th, 2003 at 09:26 PM

hey ok got the bliunkersd working without them blowing fuses (went oiver wires and pushed them all on properly) but nows theres the horn.
i conect it up without the earth wire on the steering coloumn and take out the button (arm thing) and touch the eather wire on a earth and it starts blarring! i know there must be anohter short somewhere but would have a clue where to start!
cheers
rhys
p.s. ive tried 2 different horns

kombi69 - July 30th, 2003 at 12:57 AM

I've heard 1303s commomly have a similar problem. I've not dealt with it before, from memory either a contact wears or gets pitted, this could remind a 1303 owner what their drama was so you can check it out. The 1303 problem isn't the horn end its steering wheel end, a common design feature.

Purple Martin - July 30th, 2003 at 09:11 AM

Aren't horns always "hot"? In other words they're wired directly to +12V, and the switch (button) is on the earth side of the horn. This means that if you touch the button wire to earth, it's supposed to blare.

Most parts in kombis are wired "cold" (the switch is on the +12V side so the part is at 0V when off), as far as I can remember it's just the horn and the interior lights that are wired "hot" (the switch is on the earth side so the part is at +12V even when the switch is off).

kombi_kid - July 30th, 2003 at 07:58 PM

ill get it checked out one day by an auto electrician im not to fantastic in electrical crap!!! unless of course someone wants to do it at valla!
cheers
rhys