Fuse 23 always blow

[harold30]

hi guys,

my problem started when dimmer switch was busted thus my cluster did not illuminate. i've been searching the net for the solution and i found out that we can jumper a wire from pin 6 to pin 2 which i did and problem solved. unfortunately, it last only for 2 days and found out that fuse 23 blown out so i replace it a new one revert my changes with pin 6 & 2 but still the fuse blows when i turn on the headlight switch.

any suggestion where i can start checking?

regards,
harold

[harold30]

no one encountered this problem?

[TimKninja]

I had this same problem , Starr checking the gray and red wires that run along the rocker panel under the carpet . I found 5-6 fused/melted together . One had a direct short , but wasn't important. So I cut it and left it .

[jim325]

I had a problem similar to this a long ass time ago with my first car, an 84 318i. It was rust in the taillight creating a short. Every time I would turn the lights on the cluster and stuff would go out, and of course the headlights and taillights wouldn't work.

So no 1 answer to your problem is likely to be the answer you need. Your likely going to have to do some diagnosing of the wiring to find the short. Good luck tho!

[Mo Brighta]

Following the short ...

hi guys,

my problem started when dimmer switch was busted thus my cluster did not illuminate. i've been searching the net for the solution and i found out that we can jumper a wire from pin 6 to pin 2 which i did and problem solved. unfortunately, it last only for 2 days and found out that fuse 23 blown out so i replace it a new one revert my changes with pin 6 & 2 but still the fuse blows when i turn on the headlight switch.

any suggestion where i can start checking?

regards,
harold

First thing- you say is your dimmer switch busted - did you replace it yet? There are lots of connections internal to that switch, maybe a few got too intimate and a new one will solve it.

2nd suggestion was trace the grey/red (various lights) lead - this is an all purpose lead for instruments, controls, license plates, side markers, map, reading, vanity lights, etc. If you have an ammeter, pull the connector off the light switch and check the consumers on this circuit one at a time. Corrosion Happens. Your ETM will show you the items on this lead, there are tons of them. Start with the ones that are not working, then make yourself a checklist or print the page from the ETM then check off as you go.

Good Luck.

[AndrewBird]

Wiring diagrams can be found here:

http://www.wedophones.com/BMWManualsLead.htm

[harold30]

First thing- you say is your dimmer switch busted - did you replace it yet? There are lots of connections internal to that switch, maybe a few got too intimate and a new one will solve it.

2nd suggestion was trace the grey/red (various lights) lead - this is an all purpose lead for instruments, controls, license plates, side markers, map, reading, vanity lights, etc. If you have an ammeter, pull the connector off the light switch and check the consumers on this circuit one at a time. Corrosion Happens. Your ETM will show you the items on this lead, there are tons of them. Start with the ones that are not working, then make yourself a checklist or print the page from the ETM then check off as you go.

Good Luck.

I replaced the dimmer switch with working one that's when other lights went off then after a while my fuse blow again. My cluster light went off but license plates, side markers, map, reading, vanity lights, etc were working again. Will start the grey/red wire and by looking at the diagram it's all over over the place. Will see how far I can go.

Thanks