I was just curious, every time it rains, I notice in the 80 that I have had to replace my #14 fuse (horn and backup lights). It happens so steathily that I never have been able to trace it out, or even know when its happening, driving or sitting, with reverse lights on or horn on....
Anyone had to fight with this one yet? I've thought of a test light jig I can rig up around the fuse, so when the fuse blows the light will light up. My only problem with that is I don't think this circuit has any continuity through it unless the horn or backup lights are turned on, so I'd have to come up with some kind of bleed resistor to keep a complete circuit at all times to know exactly when the fuse blows.

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Chris
64 190D R.I.P.
80 240D W/617 engine -for sale
82 240D -for sale

Old thread but exact same symptoms. Did this ever get resolved?
Is there some underdash connection that would/could cause this?
I was under there to replace the wiper relay and was poking around a bit to figure out what was what so I may have bumped things.
Any ideas?

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1981 240D 143k 4 spd manual -SOLD

2004 VW Jetta TDI 5 speed 300k -still driven daily

sis you check the wiring, connections and grounds?

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1986 300SDL, 211K,Dealership serviced its whole life
1991 190E 2.6(120k)
1983 300D(300k)
1977 300D(211k)

During research for one of the "No Start" threads I found that on an 84 123 the Neutral Safety Switch is also the Back Up Light Switch. I do not know if it is the same for an 80.

The Horn I do not know about. That wiring runs through along the Steering Column.

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84 300D, 82 Volvo 244Gl Diesel

I could be wrong, but I seem to remember that the wiring to the kickdown solenoid wears through and shorts to ground, taking out that fuse.

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Palangi

2004 C240 Wagon 203.261 Baby Benz
2008 ML320 CDI Highway Cruiser
2006 Toyota Prius, Saving the Planet @ 48 mpg
2000 F-150, Destroying the Planet @ 20 mpg



TRUMP .......... WHITEHOUSE
HILLARY .........JAILHOUSE
BERNIE .......... NUTHOUSE
0BAMA .......... OUTHOUSE

Ok, this is all a start. I will give it a look

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1981 240D 143k 4 spd manual -SOLD

2004 VW Jetta TDI 5 speed 300k -still driven daily

+1. Mine will blow its #14 fuse if you kickdown using the kickdown switch. I don't use the kickdown much, never really. This is where I'd start seaching for grouning issues.

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1982 240 D, 308,000 - 321,127 miles (sold)
1982 300 TD,166,500 - 226,000 miles
1998 E 320, 120,000 - 144,000 miles
2005 C 230 K, 26,000 - 77,000 miles (sold)

Oops

I think you are right....

Kickdown switch wiring.

Not kickdown solenoid.

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Palangi

2004 C240 Wagon 203.261 Baby Benz
2008 ML320 CDI Highway Cruiser
2006 Toyota Prius, Saving the Planet @ 48 mpg
2000 F-150, Destroying the Planet @ 20 mpg



TRUMP .......... WHITEHOUSE
HILLARY .........JAILHOUSE
BERNIE .......... NUTHOUSE
0BAMA .......... OUTHOUSE

I'd guess that you have a short or open wires that short whenever it rains, probably a minor leak somewhere under the dash.
I had a similar issue with a minor leak taking out the blower fuse, it'd short on the blower motor. At least I THINK that's what it was, hasn't happened since I tracked down a windshield seal leak.

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I disconnected the wire connector to the kickdown switch and will see if that makes a difference

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1981 240D 143k 4 spd manual -SOLD

2004 VW Jetta TDI 5 speed 300k -still driven daily

No love there, still blowing the fuse. It was too easy to be true.
Oh well, now comes the electrical trouble tracing.

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1981 240D 143k 4 spd manual -SOLD

2004 VW Jetta TDI 5 speed 300k -still driven daily

I visually checked the wiring from the kickdown switch to the kd solenoid and it appears undamaged.
Reinstalled the fuse and with the ign switch on tried the glowplug light, then the horn and finally the reverse lights. None of them caused the fuse to blow. I unplugged and replugged the NSS and the wiper relay just in case they were suspect as I replaced both of them before this problem began.
I really can't say it is rain or water related because it has occurred when it is dry out.
What other diagnostics should I be trying?
Is there anything else connected to that fuse?

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1981 240D 143k 4 spd manual -SOLD

2004 VW Jetta TDI 5 speed 300k -still driven daily

Other than the prior post's tactics, I taped up a loose wire that looked like a former cob job to nowhere and then buttoned everything back up.
That was a few days ago and everthing is working fine with no fuse blowing.
I am stumped; a loose/poor connection, mis-routed wire, something rubbing, I don't know but I am keeping my fingers crossed for now.
It has not rained for a while but I don't thinjk that was the prob as it would happen when dry out.
We will see.

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1981 240D 143k 4 spd manual -SOLD

2004 VW Jetta TDI 5 speed 300k -still driven daily