QuestionWhat causes the hazard lights to blow the fuse when engaged. This same fuse operates the directional signals which also stop working when there is no fuse.
AnswerHi Gary,
There are two possibilities:
First, that one side of the other side of the turn signal system is drawing more than the usual current but not so much as to blow the fuse by itself. But when you activate the hazards the combination overdraws the fuse and blows it. Take a look at the turn signal lighting on both sides and see if they appear to be identical in brightness and flashing frequency when activated. If they appear identical and unremarkable then this is probably not the cause. If one side seems different, such as a dim or bright bulb or slow/fast flash rate, then examine the bulb in question/socket of the bulb for a short.
Second, I would suspect an internal short circuit in turn signal/hazard flasher switch itself when the hazard is activated.
You could pull the 8 pin plug on the switch and measure between pin 4 and pin 7 of the switch. If it shows connection (0 ohm) then that would be a short to ground that would cause you either to look inside the switch to repair it, or replace the switch.
If neither of those proves true, then the only other possibility is that the combination flasher unit is shorting to ground due to an internal weakness provoked by drawing heavier current for the hazards than the turn signals, but that is a 'strectch'.
Roland
