Panel Fuse keeps blowing. Need dimmer knob, Figured it out :) Options

[mgnt232]

So yesterday my panel fuse (7.5a) decided to blow. All i know thats powered by that is the gauge lights? which is alot more important than you'd think lol.
At first I thought it was my vent and handle lights, because I took the power from the cig lighter light, so everything would turn on with the lights and it has worked fine for months, but thought maybe a wire came loose or something. Searched for a couple hours tracing everywire, blowing a bunch of fuses, and eventually just unhooking all the extra lights from the power.
Still blew the fuse
Hooked the lights up to a direct power, they all turn on fine, so im pretty positive its not them
Is there anything else powered by this fuse? I cant imagine it just does the gauge lights but from what I can see it is... Anything common I should check?
I havent done any wiring in a few months so I dont understand why it would just start to blow?
Anyway to put direct power to the gauge lights? thanks a ton in advance

This post has been edited by mgnt232: Dec 9, 2010 - 9:05 AM

[jlive]

That's because you have short (two wires touching, or a power wire touching ground) somewhere between the fuse and what the fuse is suppose to protect, or you added something to the circuit and are now drawing too many amps. Its probably a wiring issue and not a part issue.

Do a continuity check between the fuse connector side that goes to the part and ground. If is just a couple ohms or less you have a short in your circuit to ground.

Or try repairing your wiring job so its back to factory conditions and see if that fixes it.

This post has been edited by jlive: Dec 8, 2010 - 3:14 PM