Hyundai Repair: fuses, fuse blows, fuse box


Question
Recently we have blown two fuses in our 2003 Tiburon, We had the battery wires replaced, then the battery (separate), issues, and after that blew a fuse for the radio, door locks, clock (fuse)...Replaced that and it blew again, what could be wrong,Please help!!

Answer
To give good detail and description, we'll need to be sure we're talking about the same fuse.  It sounds like you're talking about the 10A fuse in the yellow holder in the dash fuse box.  The fact that this fuse blows indicates there's a short in one of the components powered by the fuse or in the wiring between the fuse and the component.

The bad news is that the fuse in question powers many items:
-- a/c control module
-- radio
-- instrument cluster
-- key-in-ignition switch
-- clock
-- door lamps
-- cargo area lamp
-- dome lamp

If you've recently been working in one of these areas, that should be the place you start first.  The problem could simply be a wire pinched on a piece of metal.  This could not only cause the fuse to blow, but could also cause the battery to drain.  One common cause is the radio itself, especially if you have young children.  In some cases, children have found change in the car and put it in the radio.  Other than the radio and anything you may have recently serviced, you should primarily suspect the wiring.  A problem I've seen several times is that the wiring along the driver's front pillar is pinched by one of the clips holding the trim in place.

Does the fuse blow immediately when replaced if everything in the car is off?  If so, you're probably looking at a wiring problem.  If not, try to operate the various items controlled by the fuse.  If operating one of them causes the fuse to blow, start your diagnosis there.  It's likely that component is the problem.

If none of the above is fruitful, you'll need to begin the tedious process of narrowing where the short is in the circuit via process of elimination.  To do this, you'll need a schematic and a basic understanding of electricity.  Starting at the fuse box, you'll need to disconnect various branches powered by the fuse in question until you reach the situation where you know which circuit, when disconnected, results in the fuse not blowing.  Then, you need to follow the wiring in that circuit until you locate the problem.  For most people, this is beyond their diagnostic abilities, but some do-it-yourselfers can tackle this as well.  

Once you reach that point where you're beyond your own diagnostic capabilities, it's time to have the car professionally diagnosed.  In this case, you'll want to use a shop with a very good reputation for electrical work.  

Also, if you think you can tackle the diagnosis and need some guidance as to which direction to take, please do follow-up.