2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission brake fuse blew in PDC (#5)

[NETim]

The 20A brake light fuse blew on the rig this past Monday. I was slowing/braking and signaling a RH turn and bonk! No more brake or turn signals.



I had my Lance slide in aboard. That was the only additional electrical load placed on the electrical system. I've also got a trailer brake controller onboard.



I plan to look over the wiring on the truck and the camper this weekend and look for bad insulation.



I am curious, is it possible for the brake controller to pop this fuse? (#5 in the PDC box) I don't use it, so it will be no loss to yank it out. (which may well happen if I can't find any glaring defects in the wiring elsewhere)



Thanks!



Tim

 

[NETim]

)&%#_(% bulbs!!!

Took a vacation day yesterday and troubleshot the problem. I could not find any frayed/nasty looking wires in the harness so I removed the trailer connectors that I don't use anymore and the brake controller too.



Everything looked good. Took it for a drive yesterday evening. BOOM! No brake lights, no turn signals, no tail lights and no emergency flashers. Had headlights though. Immdiately disconnected the Lance to get it out of the system.



I immediately went to my old friend the flasher fuse #5 in the PDC. It was blown. Replaced it. Had turn sigs again, but no emergency flashers and no tail lights. I noticed then that the LH dash turn indicator was much brighter than the RH.



Didn't think too much about it then but maybe should have.



I replaced the park light fuse in the PDC and pulled on the headlights. BOOM! Fuse blew immediately. Still had turn sigs, but again LH dash indicator was much brighter than the RH.



Slowly a light came on in my brain.



I turned on the RH blinker and took a stroll around the truck. Sure enough, the RH front bulb was not flashing.



The light in my mind grew brighter.



I pulled the bad bulb out. I replaced the park light fuse in the PDC and presto!!! I had turn sigs and tail lights.

Still no emergency flashers though.



I pulled the cover off of the combination flasher in the fuse panel inside the truck. A copper trace was burned up. I soldered in a piece o' wire and put the flasher unit back in place.



Now I had emergency flashers again. All systems appeared to be go! I plugged the Lance back in and all lighting systems remained functional.



I think that RH front bulb was bad. The ohmmeter says it's good and visually inspecting it everything looks fine. The filaments for turn and park are intact.



Apparently the filaments were contacting each other and wreaking havoc on my lighting system as I was buzzing down the road. That's my theory anyways.



I am somewhat surprised that the flasher took a hit in this scenario. One would think a fuse should let go somewhere to protect it.



The combo flasher units cost $42!!!!!



I just hope my theory holds up. I'm taking the rig camping/fishing this weekend.



Just thought I'd pass this wonderful experience along.



Tim