Why Does My Tail Light Fuse Keeps Blowing? [With Fixes!]

Tail lights are the most vital component for maintaining communications between cars during the dark. In that regard, its fuse also plays a crucial role in the car’s safety.

If your car’s tail light fuse keeps blowing off, it can happen due to the following reasons;

• Sockets are defective or burnt
• Bulbs are of low-quality
• Water leakage on socket or wire
• Wires losing connection

This article explores the reason why a tail light fuse may blow off. Furthermore, it also provides a solution to prevent this issue from arising again. 

What is A Tail Light Fuse?

Tail light fuses are the components that prevent your car’s rear light from risk of electrical damage. Also known as a stop lamp fuse, it’s located in the power distribution center. Typically, this component has a capacity of 15amp.

If the electricity supply to the bulb exceeds the fuse’s capacity, it melts the coil within. Thus, it stops the bulb from getting damaged due to too much electricity. However, it can also blow off if it notices certain anomalies with its adjoining parts.

You must ensure the car’s ignition is off before accessing the power distribution center. 

The tail light will be inside its fuse box. Gently take off its lid, and you will find the fuse. If you try to access it without cutting off the power, you may electrocute yourself.

4 Common Causes of Tail Light Fuse Constantly Blowing Off

Below are the most common reasons why the tail light fuse might blow off frequently and their solutions. 

1. Decayed Wires

Multiple wires are connected to the lights to ensure they properly receive electricity. Constant disregard can often cause them to decay. If they do not receive proper upkeep, then they may receive frays and damage. 

Frayed or damaged wires pose the risk of creating a direct electricity supply to the tail light. Thus, the fuse cannot bear the sudden surge in power, causing it to blow.  

The fix

Precision is necessary to fix short circuits as wires, as the owner must locate the affected spot. It can happen at any portion, which ranges from the tail lights to the fuse box. Therefore, a thorough inspection is a must in this scenario. 

Once you locate the short circuit’s source, survey the damage’s extent. If the problem affects a large portion of the wire, it’s best to replace the component entirely. Otherwise, you will be able to repair the portion by splicing it. 

In terms of expense, tail lights are relatively affordable. Each bulb cost within the range of $10-$20, which depends on the car’s model. On the other hand, a new assembly can set you back by $50-$200.

2. Faulty Tail Lights

Despite constant warnings from automobile experts, many car owners buy aftermarket tail lights because of their comparatively low price. These products are of significantly lower quality and are more prone to being faulty.

Faulty tail lights fail to perform on the same level as the ones in prime condition. 

Furthermore, their assembly may be defective, which can cause hindrances in the power supply. There’s a high chance of the fuse blowing out in such cases.

The fix

Conducting a thorough diagnosis to identify the specific problem in a faulty tail light is crucial. Start by checking if the bulbs are scorched or if they are firmly in place. Moreover, inspect its wires to see if there are signs of corrosion or incorrect connection. 

Despite the issue, it’s ideal to completely replace the faulty tail light and its assembly. It’s best to hire a professional mechanic’s service as you might have to change the full setup. 

3. Wrong Fuse Terminal Placement

Many car owners often forget to connect the fuse terminals properly during routine car maintenance. The wrong connection of this component increases the tail light’s possibility of overheating or blowing up.

An improper fuse terminal can cause the fuse to take more time to light up. Driving the car in this condition can cause the interior temperature to overheat. 

After a particular time, the fuse will start to melt rapidly since the component won’t tolerate the heat.

The fix

The solution in this scenario will depend on the diagnosis. If you notice the irregularities in the fuse terminal early, simply fixing the connection will resolve the issue. However, if the fuse’s exterior has already melted, then a replacement is essential.

4. High-Resistance Shortage

Sometimes, one of the car’s tail lights glow brighter than the other one. It indicates that the car’s suffering from a high resistance shortage. Another diagnosis option is to remove the bulb and check the fuse terminal’s resistance to the ground.

Connect the meter to the short-circuit’s location once you check the resistance. If the reading is more than 5 amps, then there’s a chance that the bulb’s wattage is not compatible with the car. Another possibility is that it might have internal damage. 

The fix

Solving high-resistance shortages is relatively easy. Start by securing the connection between the fuse terminal and the tail lights. Then change the bulbs if they are not compatible with the car’s model. 

A replacement in this case is necessary only if the wires completely burn off. In that case, you will need to change the entire wiring network. 

Tail Light Fuse Keeps Blowing – (FAQs)

Conclusion

A car’s fuse blowing off constantly is an indicator that there’s a serious problem with its lighting system. Depending on the issue, you can fix the problem by conducting repairs or replacing the concerned component. 

Although you can drive your car with a blown fuse, it’s highly inadvisable as it significantly increases the risks of accidents at night. Once you solve the problem, you will have a safe driving experience.