Expert: Dennis W - 9/11/2007

Question
We have a 1998 Ford Escort which recently has starting blowing the 10 amp fuse for the driver's side headlight.  Any ideas what might be causing this?

This is a car configured for Canada with daytime running lights, which I believe is a modified version of the USA model.  The daytime running lights stopped working a year ago.  (Much earlier than the fuse problem.)  I was also wondering how to fix this.

Answer
To find the problem and fix this one, you will have to do some detective or diagnostic work to find where the short is that is blowing the fuse. Are the headlamp bulbs high output type or anything else non-stock? The problem could be related to the DRL, but only diagnosis will eliminate that circuit as a problem.

The DRL system comes into the circuit AFTER the headlamp fuses. Since you are blowing left side, I would concentrate on that area of the wiring. The multifunction switch is part of this circuit also. You will need a DVOM and some electrical knowledge to locate and fix this.

Look for pinched, bare, or otherwise damaged wires, high resistance, or corrosion. Disconnect the DRL relays to eliminate this system as a problem.