I'll try and keep it short and sweet.

Upon driving home today, I noticed everytime I applied the brakes, the gauge cluster would completely short out. Once the brakes was released, they'll flicker back and the seatbelt light would come on. Eventually it just didn't come back and the turning signal failed too. When I got home, I opened the fuse panel and took a peek. Fuse #12 didn't blow, but melted instead.

Where should I start looking for the culprit, or can it be something as simple as a bad fuse?

Other potential issues/causes:
I replaced the brake light bulb and the running light bulb on the right side yesterday (both weren't working), turns out the replacement ones didn't work either. I don't think its related since they've been out for a while.

At the gas station on Tuesday, I forgot to turn off the lights as I shut the car off. When I opened the door, there was no buzzer sound to indicate the lights were on. When I was leaving, the gauge cluster lights didn't come on because the fuse blew out.

Also, what type of fuses should I use? The copper ones that are hard to find or the basic (aluminum?) ones that are found in most McParts places?

Thanks.

__________________
Jason

00 Subaru Legacy (fun wagon)
96 Nissan Sentra (disavowed)
82 300SD (garage queen, will run again hopefully)
87 300DT (Gone: 10/15/2010)