side light(s) fuse blows, leaving single side light on

Evening,
I run a P6 as a daily driver, and inspection / repair time is very limited. The following fault has developed.

The side light fuse blows (not instantaneously but after hours of motoring each time after replacing), leaving a single tail light on (o/s/r). Panel fuse remains ok (and dis understood to be linked to one of the side light fuses.

Do you think this is fuse box related or shorting on one of the side light wires. The fact that one tail light remains on is puzzling me.

Given time, I would inspect the wires running to the lights for shorts (and in turn to identify the culprit) but time is in short supply given daily driving

Any comments to help target immediate areas for inspection would be appreciated. - many thanks
 
Hi, L/H lights and R/H lights are on two different fuses, instrument lights are on a third fuse. It maybe that a higher load is putting too much strain on them so a quick easy check is check and clean the connections especially the earths. The front seem like the more obvious as the rears are inside the boot, although they are not immune.

Colin
 
Thanks Colin, I will follow your suggestion tomorrow.
The puzzling bit is that only one fuse blows (7-8) , but R/H/rear tail remains on (R/H/front side is out). I've copied Stan's helpful illustration below.

Can you confirm which fuse serves L/H lights - many thanks


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Fuse 7-8 serves LH side and tail lights, AND number plate lights. Fuse 5-6 serves RH side lights. I would look at the number plate lights - most exposed to the weather, and subject to corrosion. I have seen a similar case on my car. Both for S2 cars. Useful if you tell us your model....
 
Thanks jp928, I’ll act on these suggestions today and others above received
The car is an honest 74 3.5 auto. To date the fuses and the box (fuse array) have not been any trouble.
Thanks
 
When I tested headlight flash recently...there wasnt one. Wriggle fuses, poor contact between adjacent headlight fuses due to distortion caused by slight melting. Fitted a home made blade fuse adaptor, problem fixed. Headlights now on relays also.
 
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