1970 Cuda blowing Brake light/Dome light fuse

[demo0211]

I put in a new fuse and brake lights, dome light and reverse lights work for a while but after driving for a little while it blows the fuse.  Only change I made was a while back working on instrument gauge wiring and read I should place a ground wire from brake pedal support to instrument cluster to ensure good ground for gauges. What is the best trouble shooting method?

[lulurocks]

Well  the  circuit your referencing  runs. Thru  about. 4 different bulkheads and  2 switches.

So  first off confirm you are replacing  the fuse with the proper size for that circuit.

Secondly I would inspect the. Connections at the bottom of the colum for any signs of burning etc..

Thirdly it would inspect all of you sockets and wiring I. The trunk area for bare spots or. Items ,(I.e) crap in the trunk that could have nicked a wire . I would do the same in the radiator support area  , trace it for signs of wear or corrosion back to the bulkhead under the. Master cylinder.

Forth I would inspect the turn signal switch , they have been known tho loosen up with age and some of the contacts  fault to each other..

IMO.   It sounds. Like you have a short  on your hands  ,   If you feel comfortable you can  split the harness and road test portions of it or just test in your shop ...  If you disconnect the rear harness in the drivers kick panel and. Replace the fuse  you can run the lights etc and try to get it to blow,  if it doesn't blow  look in the rear harness your fault could be that direction

 if it does  you know your problems not in the rear and you can look foward from the kick panel.

Kind of process of elimination.  ... The radiator support area sees a lot of heat and chemicals. So I would. Bet it's up there..

Do all, you wire inspections with the light ,signals  on ,  you might see it short when you messing around ..

[demo0211]

Ok thanks for the input, i'll start inspecting and digging in the order you mentioned and respond back with any finds.

[dodj]

A likely place for wires to short to ground is in the kick panel area, along the floor and up over the rear wheel well where the wires enter the trunk. 

[demo0211]

Problem solved. Found a horn wire in steering column unhooked and bare from rubbing on column. Electrical tape and hooked horn back up and no more short.

[Chryco Psycho]