amdx wrote:

My daughters 97 Avalon blows the brake light fuse about every other day.
I thought I'd eliminate some wiring as a troubleshooting procedure.
There is a connector block on the side next to the drivers foot.
I found the brake light wire at the connector and in the trunk. I cut
the wire at the connector and ran a new wire from the front to the
trunk, I also cut the wire in the trunk, and wired the new wire to the
brake lights. That leaves just a short old wire in the trunk going to
both the left and the right brake light.
The fuse opened again a couple days later.

Is there anything internal to the brake lights that could short to
cause the fuse to blow?

There is at least one other circuit run by that fuse, there is a shift
lever release (solenoid?) mechanism.
You must push the brake pedal to move the shift lever.

Any help?
Thanks, Mikek
Very possible the wires have chafed around the solenoid, it does move a
little when operated, it's possible the wire harness is moving with it.
It's also possible the solenoid has come loose and moving excessively,
which in turn will move the wires.

And there is also the other possibility, if the solenoid is under the
car, outside, you may have rot or varmint eaters.

I would put a tail light bulb inseries with the fuse or use it as a fuse
and start moving some wires around when the brake is applied, and move
the shifter etc.. watch for sudden bright glow.. That'll save fuses.



Jamie