02 Fog Lighs

[Capt Van]

Hi all,
I have a problem with my fog lights that I need some insight to. The fogs don't work so first thing I check is the fuse under the hood (20a) and sure enough it was blown, I replaced it. When I turn on the headlights and pull the headlight switch it blows again immediately.
It's a 2002 GTS
Any ideas?
Thanks

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[AZTVR]

Well, the first thing that I'd do is unplug the foglights and see if that stops the fuse from blowing. At least you start to know where to look. It probably won't help you though since I've never heard of a light bulb failing to a short circuit.

Is this the first time you have ever turned on the fog lights or has it been working and then failed during your ownership ?

 

[Capt Van]

I have owned it about a year and don't drive it much but this the first time I found the lights not to work, I am fairly sure they were working when I bought it but can't swear to it. Could it possibly be the headlight switch itself?

 

[KNG SNKE]

Unplug the fog lights at the bulb and pull the switch. If you still blow the fuse then it is between the switch and wiring. If it doesn't blow the fuse check the connectors on your foglights for shorting.

 

[Capt Van]

I finally got to work on the problem. I jacked the car up, got the rubber covers off and unplugged both fogs, turned the switch on and the fuse didn't blow so at least I knew it wasn't the switch. I plugged the passenger side back in, still good. Then I plugged in the drivers side and she popped. I took the bulb out to test in and was shot. Got a replacement at Napa, put it back together and she works like a champ. I didn't find any chafing on any wires. I was surprised that a simple burnt out bulb would blow the fuse.
Thanks for the info

 

[AZTVR]

I was surprised that a simple burnt out bulb would blow the fuse.

I've never encountered that failure mode either ! I guess that sometimes the answer can end up to be the simple one.

 

[DrumrBoy]

A burned out bulb is usually an open circuit which wouldn't send any juice through the fuse. Maybe it failed in a weird fireball that welded some material across the uprights to create a short that the fuse relieved. Who knows, glad you got it solved.