What does it mean to have a 'short' in my dashboard?

Question

My fuse that controls my blinkers blew out yesterday. I got a new one today and replaced it. The new fuse blew out almost immediately.

It is my understanding that there is probably a 'short' in my dash which is causing the fuse to blow. Can somebody please explain exactly what that means and what it is going to take to get it fixed.

My blinkers were working fine yesterday afternoon, and then by last night they were not.

Answer 1

A short circuit defined, plain and simple, is when the electrical source is connected directly to the ground, with nothing in between. The result is an extremely high current. What could have happened is that a bare wire could be touching a metal part or in some cars there are other components that share the same fuse. I would take it to a reputable auto shop.

Answer 2

A 'short' means that the two terminals of your battery, in this case, are bridged with no load or resistance to the current. This allows the maximum amount of current to flow through the wire, and this amount will typically exceed the amount of amperage that is allowed through the fuse that protects that circuit and it 'blows'. This means that it melts from the heat of the current flow. If the blinkers blew out, then there is a great deal of wiring and several components that may be the cause and I strongly recommend allowing an ASE certified technician, in Electronics/Electrical systems evaluate the problem. If the fuse does not blow until you use the blinkers, then this strongly suggests that there is a short circuit to ground AFTER the turn signal switch, but BEFORE the lights, and if it blows no matter which side you turn it to, then this suggests that it is before the splice that separates two sides of the vehicle. The parts in the blinker system will be wiring to get the current from the battery to the lights, the light bulbs themselves, the flasher unit, the fuse that protects the system so that the excess current burns the fuse instead of expensive components, and the switch that allows current to go through it all. It is unlikely to be behind the dash and more likely to be in the steering column because the wiring for this circuit will not run through the dashboard. I recommend trying a couple of things. First, try taking the flasher unit out, replace the fuse and then see if the fuse blows with the flasher out and with the turn signals on. If it does not, then the problem is after that unit and the switch and wiring to and from the switch can be ruled out. If it blows, then it is likely to be a wire issue in the steering column or the switch, but will not be in the body wiring to the lights, or the light sockets. These are the first things that I would start with if I were evaluating this problem in my shop.

Answer 3

Ashley,
Basically a ground and positive are coming into contact with each other, where they should be isolated. If a positive wire insulation becomes worn, it can come into contact with ground and create a hard short such as you are seeing.

For blinkers this usually happens at the blinker indicator switch on the steering column. These wires are very small and can wear.

Take the car to a shop that works specifically on that make. They will be familiar with were to look and your diagnostic fee will be less, or at least 'better spent'. You don't want to pay a mechanic to be 'educated' on a make/model that he is not too familiar with.

It is also possible that a short has occurred on another part of the wiring loom that shares the same fuse. Someone who knows your car will have a good trouble shooting strategy.

Expect to pay ~$90. diagnostic fee. In electrical work, finding the problem is the hardest part, and the repair could be as simple as some black electric tape or shrink tubing or a easy splice.
Marc

Answer 4

A short is different than an open circuit. A short is running the power back to the battery before it gets to the devices (lights, radio...etc) it's operating. Usually blows a fuse. An open circuit is a break in the current before the devices meaning no current travels through the device it stops at the break in the circuit and never makes it to ground, the car frame or negative terminal on the battery.

Answer 5

short means there is an electrical malfunction. electricity flows like water-----if there is a break in a wire or a bad ground it interupts the flow. A bad ground means where the wire is screwed to the frame of the vehicle becomes loose or broken it will also interrupt the electricity flow.
Electrical shorts are sometimes very hard to find ( a broken wire inside a plastic coating you cant see thru)bad ground under the dirt on the car frame etc.
If you have a reputable vehicle electrical technician take it there. it is best to have a specialist to look at it.

Answer 6

In electrical devices, unintentional short circuits are usually caused when a wire's insulation breaks down, or when another conducting material is introduced, allowing charge to flow along a different path than the one intended.

Shorts are sometimes hard to find it is best to let a qualified mechanic repair it.

Answer 7

try a new fuse first.the 1 in there could be just old and ready to blow.if it blows then you got a short somewhere in the dash.a short is usually a bare wire somewhere.

Answer 8

This is an electrical problem. Power is finding a shortcut and not the intended path to whatever its supposed to do.

Answer 9

check the blinker light sockets it my be corroded and need to be cleaned.