On a Gen 1, 2003 prius, dome 15 amp fuse # 17, which controls audio system, multi info disp, interion light, trunk light, power window system (which still works), and wireless remote control system has blown and continues to blow when replaced, with the car off. Any advise on the most likely suspecs?
Have you tried removing the dome light bulb and see if the fuse does not blow? Others have reported the bulb itself as the culprit.
You'll just have to try to disconnect the components/bulbs one at a time until the fuse stops blowing. Buy a bunch of fuses.
To do this type of electrical fuse fix, I made a circuit breaker so i did not keep busting through fuses. Radio shack 15 amp breaker with a button soldered with two wires with the ends crimped into spades. Put the two wires with spades into where the fuse would go. The button on the breaker pops out when it blows. Just push it in and start again. Works like a GFCI sort of in your house. TomK
I looked a bit and can't seem to find it. I have mine in front of me and it is a 20A. Manufacturer is T.S.D. P/N 131-0004. I'll keep looking. TomK
Can not find it at Radioshack but I did find this which is like what I have. TomK COOPER BUSSMANN Circuit Breaker,10A,24V - Circuit Breakers - 6CJA4|CB227-10 - Grainger Industrial Supply
A headlamp bulb wired across where the fuse should be in the same manner as the circuit breaker. will work much better. While the fault is present the bulb will stay lit at full brightness, when the fault is cleared the bulb will go out or go dim depending on the load. This will give you a clear indication of the state of the problem while you are working. Any intermittent fault will cause the bulb to flash as the fault is cleared and returned. The maximum current that can be drawn under fault conditions using this method is about 5 amps "the loading of the bulb" no matter what you are doing. With a circuit breaker the maximum current will be between 10% and 25% over the rating of the breaker. With a fuse the current to blow the fuse can be up to 200% over that of the fuse rating. John (Britprius)
I also have that John. And your info is correct. I used an old school headlamp since it had two metal prongs on the back of it. I built the circuit breaker simply since I had an issue where I needed to drive with it and the headlamp was so large. Just did not want to keep spending on the little fuses after blowing an entire box of them once. TomK
