Brake light fuse blowing

[MintysR4]

Hi all
A small but annoying problem. I keep blowing the brake light fuse on an 86GTL. I assume it's an earthing problem. My question is are the brakes earthed with an earth wire or are the bolts holding on the light assembly the earth.
Thanks in advance

 

[angel]

The light backplate earths itself by its mountings, no separate wire.

 

[MintysR4]

Great stuff. I'll try cleaning the bolts so, that might help.
Thanks

 

[MintysR4]

I've cleaned up the earths and I can't see any frayed wires. The only thing I can see is a loose headlight bulb connector. Would that blow a brake fuse by any chance.

 

[André4Renaults]

Does the brake light fuse cover any other circuits, apart from the brake lights? If it does, it might be worth looking at them. If it doesn't, then the fault lies within the brake light circuit, so I'd buy a bag of fuses of the same rating (I expect it's a 5 amp one) and fit one of them, then remove both brake light bulbs, wedge the brake pedal down and switch on the ignition. If the fuse doesn't "pop" the fault's in the bulbs or bulb holders. Put one of the bulbs back in & see it it lights normally. Make sure it's in properly, as some have 2 elements, then fit the other bulb and note when (or if!) the fuse blows. This should narrow down where the problem lies. Pity you're on the "Emerald Isle", as I'm running out of things to repair on my own cars.....

 

[MintysR4]

Hi Andrew
Thanks for that. The circuit covers the blower also. I'll try to narrow down the problem with your bag of fuses trick. The problem is intermittent which makes it a little trickier.
Thanks again

 

[MintysR4]

That's sorted now I think (fingers crossed), just a bad earth on the light plate. On to the next job.
Thanks again

 

[André4Renaults]

Glad you have sorted this.