Why do my fuses keep blowing? Short to ground testing

Blown fuses? find out multiple ways to check for shorts to ground with test lights and multimeters in a simple how to method. These easy checks can be done by anyone!
The vehicle in the video is a Audi a4 b8 model 2009 and the fault is a cigarette lighter fuse blowing.
multimeter:
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Picoscope 2 channel scope
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Picoscope 4 channel scope
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How to check car fuses, is it blown? Test light and multimeter checks
• How to check car fuses...
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Due to factors beyond the control of RMAutodiag, it cannot guarantee against unauthorized modifications of this information, or improper use of this information. RMAutodiag assumes no liability for property damage or injury incurred as a result of any of the information contained in this video. RMAutodiag recommends safe practices when working with power tools, automotive lifts, lifting tools, jack stands, electrical equipment, blunt instruments, chemicals, lubricants, or any other tools or equipment seen or implied in this video. Due to factors beyond the control of RMAutodiag, no information contained in this video shall create any express or implied warranty or guarantee of any particular result. Any injury, damage or loss that may result from improper use of these tools, equipment, or the information contained.
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[@adynuff7678]

A very useful video, I used your technique to find and fix a short circuit in my caravans 12v lighting circuit, which turned out to be two trapped wires where a light was poorly fitted by the manufacturer. Great stuff cheers.

[@gordonbarclay6106]

Superb video. I can now use these methods to try and find the fault I have in the car. Every time I turn on the side lights it blows the fuse for the left-hand side only straight away. Should save me a fortune on fuses and by the way this has been the best video for explaining different methods with the bulb and the multimeter.

[@tekopikin]

It's 2022 and your video was the first result I found from an Online search, I just need to get me a multimeter or a bulb kit - whichever I can get a hold of first to fix a short which keeps blowing my instrument cluster fuse. Will let you know how it goes.
Big thanks for this tutorial

[@godofyota9541]

The light bulb technique helped me locate my short. Excellent info!!
Thanks

[@rmautodiag]

Thanks for the comment

[@orlandoo4552]

Great video! I like how you show alternative ways of testing. I really like the continuity testing method. Instant like and new follow.

[@rmautodiag]

Thanks for the support 👍

[@dalecolbert232]

You are the man! I plugged in a light bulb and when I pulled the horn relay it went out. Thanks a million

[@rmautodiag]

No problem thanks for the comment

[@paulywalnuts5117]

Thanks, made it that much easier to find the source causing the problem

[@rmautodiag]

Glad I could help, thanks for the comment.

[@j.goebbels2134]

Thanks for this video. Finally someone who knows what they are talking about !
I have a newer 1500-watt inverter, which I had been using fine for months. I accidentally shorted it out. Opened it. Found 4 x 30a fuses in there. I saw the first in line was blown. So... easy. I replaced it. But I didn't have a 30a large blade, so I replaced with a 40a large blade. No problem, it is a little bigger so won't blow as fast as a 30, but still small enough that it will blow if it needs to.
BUT... it blew! right away. With only about 650 watts device on it.
Put in another 40a, which also blew.
Put in another 40 and using the inverter now for only charging small, low amp devices while I figure this out, which seems to be working fine, but waste of a huge inverter like this. Is something else wrong inside there that the short caused and that is why it keeps blowing? Or is the 40a blowing where a new 30a would not?? It seems the 40a would blow LAST instead of first, inline with all the other 30s...
Hmmmm

[@madgin1]

Great to see this done in a few different ways. Top tips👍

[@rmautodiag]

Thanks for the comment. Hope it helps you.

[@heroknaderi]

This video is very informative. thank you.

[@jd-kd3mm]

Awesome, simple explanation! Makes a lot more sense now!

[@rmautodiag]

Thanks for the comment 👍

[@panzerwaffen2873]

@@rmautodiag boss man I just replaced the bcm on my car but now the AC doesn't work it blows but no cold ... Wiper blades blown fuse ...trunk same thing and the sound inside the car also ... All of these fuses are in different boxes ...

[@sarahlouise1152]

My husband just came trotting in with excitement that you have uploaded a new video!! 😂

[@rmautodiag]

👍😂 glad he's enjoying the content👍

[@davidk3119]

Thanks! My car blows a fuse whenever I plug in the cigarette lighter or a phone charger. I use the multimeter to check for voltage at the fuse and it is around 12 volts. I did the continuity test and it is not getting continuity. Does that mean there is a fault in the wiring somewhere? I checked the wiring around the lighter and it looks okay. The wiring goes up into the dash so who knows what is going on up there.

[@PioneerMountainHomestead]

very good demonstration, thanks

[@rmautodiag]

Thanks for your comment 👍

[@RJ6AV6]

Thank you for this video, really clear and concise! 👍👍

[@rmautodiag]

Thanks for the comment

[@craigdecolumbian2688]

Very informative and helpful 👍

[@rmautodiag]

Thanks for the comment

[@rjshhooba9857]

yep , if you do not already know, turning signals and cigarette lighter are connected to the same ground on the vehicle

[@HOTRODRICO]

those parts you bent outward are what holds whatever you put into the lighter socket, they were supposed to be bent inward not outward right ? or am I missing the idea here...? thanks

[@richardworden9747]

I am an electrician by trade and was thinking the same thing can I use a light bulb I tried to Google it on TH-cam and all I found was you thank God I did.

[@rmautodiag]

Thanks for the comment😀

[@elcidlord]

I have a 2005 Dakota, 3.7L., 128,000 miles. The power outlet fuses one or the other blow, 20amp. This started to happen when I use my plug-in air compressor to fill the tires after a few minutes running. I have done this for many years with the same plug-in air compressor, same Dakota, no problem. Now my dash cam is always plugged in to the power outlet when driving and the power outlet fuses never blow/burn out. The garage could only suggest my air compressor is old and causing the problem. What position do I set my multi-meter on? Not to knowing of how to use one. Sorry. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. I hope I explained this correctly. Thank you.

[@k1ortia]

When i turn my side lights on on my motorbike it constantly keeps blowing the 10a fuse, this never happened before, when i checked its the tail light fuse. Any ideas how to fix this or where i should be looking to find the cause? Thank you and great video.

[@knightrider5825]

Thanks for these informative videos👏🏼

[@rmautodiag]

Thanks for the comment

[@ramondouche3640]

Can I use any bulb or is it specific to volts and or current?

[@dieseldawg7132]

Just use a test light, the grounded side of the fuse and positive or the battery

[@MrPhendy2002]

Thank you
.

[@renflo86]

Awesome video

[@chuySG1]

I have a 2000 Honda Accord EXL. When I attempt to replace the passenger side window fuse it immediately blows? I know I have the wires cut on the horn.... Might that be on the same circuit??

[@sillygily4435]

How do you know the input and output side of a fuse?

[@angieMason-mm5ff]

Thank you very much my cousin let a so-called friend fix it tore it up trying to fix it myself

[@hectorfuentes283]

my tail lights are not working brake lights are small light fuse keeps blowing as soon as i turn the lights on . Any help on this problem i am having

[@rmautodiag]

I would put a bulb inline with the tail light fuse as seen in the video. When you turn the lights on if there is a short to ground the bulb will light. I would then disconnect the tail lights one at a time and see if the bulb goes out showing where the short is.

[@OldSchoolNoe]

Blowing an AC fuse, and this will be helpful, time to locate a wiring diagram.

[@rmautodiag]

Thanks for the comment

[@cheyennemarquez5082]

Tnx brother!

[@rmautodiag]

Thanks for the comment

[@vicgon5807]

1989 civic lx. I keep blowing fuse #8. It happens when I turn on my dashlights. So my dashlights and tailights do not light up.

[@anthonysova7117]

Is it common to refer earth to reference ground where your from?Just don’t see earth on a vehicle with no connection to earth having rubber to the road Not a big deal but never heard anyone use that reference Cheers thumbs up

[@jamescardona9412]

really helpful

[@rmautodiag]

Thanks for the comment

[@nikoabednego1734]

My instrumental cluster lights fuse on my vw polo keeps on blowin wat could be the cause

[@alxibba1]

My car radio fuse keeps blowing out, as soon as I try to replace it, it blows immediately, my car is 2002 Bmw 325 ci, need desperate help cause my windows and windshield wipers doesn’t work anymore

[@rmautodiag]

I would look at the fuse description and see what other components are on the same fuse. Then put a small bulb in the fuse holder like shown in the video and disconnect the components on that fuse until the bulb goes out, that will be where the short is.

[@alxibba1]

RMAutodiag I’ll check it out , thank you.

[@mickeylim399]

I have same year 325i did you find out anything ?? I head a 10.1 inch head unit fuse just blew today now it keeps blowing

[@ayoubabubaker9211]

@@mickeylim399 did you end up fixing it

[@danburger28]

good stuff as ever

[@rmautodiag]

Thanks, I hope it helps you on your car journey 👍🏎

[@claremadgin]

👍

[@rmautodiag]

Thanks for the thumbs up 👍

[@claytonmills1561]

A test light is only a few bucks