12V power distribution fuse # 2

[Carlos Mas]

I think IÂ’ve narrowed down my blown fuse to the forward ceiling lights.
There is a switch by the entry door. Should that turn on the lights?
IÂ’m getting no power to the switch and my meter tells me there is a short in the line.
I have no idea where to look to find it.

[Carlos Mas]

Originally Posted by Bill

After the fuse blows, what works, and what does not?

Bill

Looks like the forward lights are the only thing now not working
I’m guessing the switch by the entry door should turn them on.
I tested the wires on the switch and I’m not getting power.

[Shane826]

That switch is for the outdoor porch lights. If just the lights on the front roof are out (does the fan work)? That’s probably the fuse that’s popping. Short to ground somewhere. First place I’d look is where the wiring comes out of the lower box and goes up the lift arm to the front roof section. Wires get pinched there from time to time.

[Bill]

I'm not familiar with your TM, but many TMs have a switch just inside the entry door, on the side near the stove, kind of high up. This switch controls the porch light just outside the entry door. This switch is most likely on the same circuit and fuse as the ceiling lights in the living room, each of which has its own switch. Does the fuse blow as soon as you insert it, regardless of the position of this switch? Or does the fuse blow only after you change the position of this switch?

Bill

[Wavery]

If you are getting no 12V TO the switch, I agree with Shane826. I'd open the connector box on the driver side lift arm. TrailManor uses those twist nuts for connecting wires. I hate those things bacause if a hot wire comes out of that twist nut, the wire will dead short to the steel lift arm 90% of the time.

If you find that to be the case, I'd recommend solering those wire together, put the twist lock back on and wrap it with electrical tape.

[Bill]

If he is getting no 12VDC to the switch while the fuse is blown, that doesn't tell us much. That is why I asked WHEN the fuse blows.

In my experience, shorts often occur inside the light fixtures themselves, especially the outdoor porch light fixture. The wires enter the fixture through a hole in the sheet metal. The metal edges of the hole are sharp, and after a million miles of road vibration, the sharp edge cuts through the insulation.

Another physical possibility. When a bulb burns out, and the owner replaces it, it is easy to unintentionally bend the socket a bit, causing some part of the socket to contact ground.

Yet another physical possibility. Inside the fixture, it is common to find splices, where the power wire comes in, then divides to go to the bulb and also out to the next fixture. It is possible that one of these splices has come apart.

I think your next task is to pop the lenses off all the fixtures (it is easy) and look around inside them for something such as I described.

Bill