Diagnosing shorted circuits-Toyota Solara that keeps blowing the tailight fuse

Check out my amazon affiliate link to help the channel:
www.amazon.com/shop/voltagedropdiagnostics
Today we have a Toyota Solara (I forgot the model year) that keeps blowing the tail light fuse. So I show the game plan that I use to attack these types of problems! I hope you enjoy, and don't forget to comment, like, and subscribe if you want to see more videos!
Link to the clamp meter that I used in this video:
amzn.to/2EDZkLF
Also, make sure to check out Cody's channel, who was nice enough to hook me up with a shirt that I was wearing in this video!
/ @codysautodiagnosticsp...
Also, if you want to contact me privately. My email is: [e-mail]
The views and opinions expressed are in these videos are my own, and have not been reviewed or approved by my employer, and do not necessarily represent the views and opinions on my employer.

[@VoltageDropDiagnostics]

Check out my amazon affiliate link to help the channel: www.amazon.com/shop/voltagedropdiagnostics

[@SuperMarioDiagnostics]

I had the same exact short on a Tacoma, I believe it was. Great process bro

[@VoltageDropDiagnostics]

Thanks man! This one should've been easier to diagnose. This car came from out used car department and I used told that it kept blowing the fuse, but the used car tech was having trouble figuring out what was causing it to blow. They didn't tell me that he replaced the bulb and socket seconds before the fuse blew! Its not just customers who won't give us the entire story haha!

[@nickmayo2974]

I'm totally stealing the bulb in the fuse socket idea! That's brilliant.

[@VoltageDropDiagnostics]

Steal away! Thats why I made the video!

[@jasonmcnamara2079]

It's only brilliant when there's a short 😛

[@Jpilgrim30]

Yeah I use that all the time. It limits current through the circuit and also gives a great visual indicator especially when looking for a spot where a harness has been rubbing and has caused a short.

[@Airman..]

Light is dim with no short because there is a path to ground through minimum of 3 good 21w bulbs filaments which have roughly 98ohms combined resistance to ground, that's 130mA of current Good job nailing it down

[@VoltageDropDiagnostics]

Exactly! Thanks for watching and explaining the theory a little better for me!

[@andrewk778]

This is a great diagnostic procedure; simple and effective. Thank you for sharing. I can never get too much of the “dry erase board of knowledge”.

[@VoltageDropDiagnostics]

Thanks! I am going to try to continue to implement the white board. I'm not sure if its true, but I feel like I can more easily explain my thought process with the white board.

[@codysautodiagnosticsprogra8706]

Your demonstration board is awesome bro, great explanation on this lesson. Great appreciate the support buddy! Thank you!!

[@VoltageDropDiagnostics]

Thanks for the shirt! I love it!

[@avionism]

Brilliant Love those DC amp clamps Thanks Pat

[@VoltageDropDiagnostics]

avionism yes! I have been finding so many uses for them lately!

[@ozzstars_cars]

This vid reminds me of a problem. I had a parking/turn signal light socket issue on a Subaru Outback, would blow fuse 5 or 6 which would kill the control signal for the alternator, complete shut down, also the instrument cluster gauges would die. Turned out the car had aftermarket headlamps, loose bulb contacts shorting inside the connector when the right side turn signal was turned on. Toughest diag for a blown fuse I ever had to find to date. Learned a lot on that one! Take care -Glen

[@VoltageDropDiagnostics]

Thanks Glen! That diag sounds crazy! A loose bulb! haha

[@ozzstars_cars]

@@VoltageDropDiagnostics loose brass contact inside the connector where the bulb base touches. After that fix I started filming repair vids.

[@xaviergonzalez5145]

Hats off man!! Thank you! I hope to open my tech repair channel to share knowledge will all of you!

[@VoltageDropDiagnostics]

Its a lot more work than it appears, but it is rewarding for sure.

[@stephenmarshall5302]

nice process. narrowing it down with amps clamp was great information for me.

[@VoltageDropDiagnostics]

Thanks! I am glad you liked it!

[@davelengerjr.4123]

Thank you for the diagnosis, was very helpful for a simple circuit on how you broke it down to understand. Really appreciate all your videos.

[@VoltageDropDiagnostics]

Thanks for watching!

[@jeffcooper6036]

Excellent tip! Keep up the good work.

[@VoltageDropDiagnostics]

Thanks Jeff!

[@eddievalera2436]

great technique to narrow down the short , loved it

[@VoltageDropDiagnostics]

Thanks Eddie!

[@alexandriabowe]

Thanks Pj, great lesson on the basics

[@VoltageDropDiagnostics]

Thanks buddy!

[@ginoroy3234]

Thanks for another Great vid Pat! I’m honestly going to start using his in the field!

[@VoltageDropDiagnostics]

Thanks, Gino! It has been my go to method for a few years now. It works well for me.

[@anthonybeaudry6066]

Nice Video PJ, really liked the whiteboard process. thanks for your time and talent in showing your thought process.

[@VoltageDropDiagnostics]

Thanks Anthony! I appreciate it! Ive had good feedback about the whiteboard so I think I am going to use it more often when applicable.

[@billyyoder8171]

Thank you Patrick. Good job. Have blessed and safe week. Merry Christmas to you and your family.

[@VoltageDropDiagnostics]

Merry Christmas Billy! I hope you have a great Christmas, too!

[@billrimmer5596]

I have that same tool. For them to b any good for auto techs, they have to have DC amps. So much quicker than setting up a scope with the amp clamp. Super good logic!! As always, PJ for the win!!!

[@VoltageDropDiagnostics]

I agree about the meters needing to read DC amperage . Thanks Bill! I appreciate your support!

[@d.d4184]

Very nice way to find a short.

[@VoltageDropDiagnostics]

Thanks!

[@cesarm9801]

Great video. Thanks for sharing your diagnostic procedure. Thanks for sharing

[@VoltageDropDiagnostics]

Thank you!

[@thebaldmechanichardatheari1124]

Great video. Been a tech for 30 years never done that way, but perfect way to find a grounded circuit.

[@VoltageDropDiagnostics]

How do you attack shorted circuits? I like hearing how different techs attack the same issues, differently. Some people use the power probe short find. Some people use the analog amp gauge. But I do like hearing all of the different ways to attack issues.

[@thebaldmechanichardatheari1124]

I use a circuit breaker and start eliminating circuit with an amp probe. But you way is a lot better because you don't have a circuit breaker going on and off.

[@kirkabrahamson1148]

Great video again PJ. Anyone learning basic electrical should watch this video.

[@VoltageDropDiagnostics]

Thanks Kirk! I do hope that this helps inexperienced techs out there.

[@martinguitarhd28]

excellent explanation enjoyed the diag.thanks.

[@8power0]

HELLO GREAT VIDEO , WAS ALL OFF THE TESTING DONE WITH THE IGNITION OFF AND REALLY APPRECIATE YOU TAKING YOUR TIME OUT TO MAKE THESE VIDEOS !

[@VoltageDropDiagnostics]

Thanks! Making these videos, at least for me is time consuming! But I truly enjoy helping wherever I can!

[@tracycolorado]

Excellent Video . smart idea using the light bulb instead of fuse

[@VoltageDropDiagnostics]

Thanks!

[@crystal1484]

I really like this diagnostic procedure. I will need to incorporate this. Thanks for the explanation.👍

[@VoltageDropDiagnostics]

Thanks! I like using this method. But I like visual cues whenever possible myself, so this works well for me.

[@johnmac9055]

That was a great clear and concise video. Thank you for taking the time and effort to put this together.

[@VoltageDropDiagnostics]

Thanks John! I enjoy making these videos to help anywhere I can!

[@sanctealphonse4510]

Sweet! Thanks for sharing your knowledge. This is very useful information.

[@VoltageDropDiagnostics]

Thank you! I am glad that you enjoyed it!

[@DylanRabier]

Great job PJ. I like the whiteboard for explaining. Makes it easy to visualize. Thanks for sharing 👍

[@VoltageDropDiagnostics]

Thanks Dylan! I appreciate it!

[@djosbun]

Another superb diagnostic video! Your ability to explain the "why" and the "how" is amazing. A Merry Christmas to you!

[@VoltageDropDiagnostics]

Merry Christmas to you, too, Dave!

[@treboratat]

thanks never too old to learn

[@J.T672]

Great video , good diagnostic procedure with the amp clamp. Always nice to see how different technicians work .

[@VoltageDropDiagnostics]

Thanks James! I am glad that you liked the video!

[@stevemazzarella7212]

Was taught this a long time ago, I don’t use it as mush as I should... great tip!!!!

[@VoltageDropDiagnostics]

Thanks Steve!

[@joshstaton508]

Excellent video and explination. 👍👍

[@VoltageDropDiagnostics]

Thanks Josh!

[@deepsquat600]

thank you very much for this I just happened upon your channel I've been a huge fan of SMA and pine hollow auto diagnostics Ivan seems to be the only person to use a amp clamp and I've asked him before it's a really explain what he's doing but since I found you I have to say thank you thank you thank you

[@VoltageDropDiagnostics]

Even being mentioned in the same sentence as them is an honor. Thank YOU!

[@weldingjunkie]

Nice job what an excellent way to diag that circuit makes total sense. Great walk though and explanation.

[@VoltageDropDiagnostics]

Thanks man! I am glad you enjoyed this one!

[@billsmith2212]

Great logical process to find the problem . What REALLY scares me is that some shops could replace ALL the light assemblies on the vehicle . Then give the customer a MANURE story of " you have electrical problems - you don't want the car to go on fire " .

[@VoltageDropDiagnostics]

I can see that happening, too. Unfortunately. But that is why I started making these videos. I hope that I can help some guys out wherever possible.

[@ThePracticalMechanic]

Excellent video PJ. It a great technique to split the circuit and narrow the field of possible short locations. 👍🏼

[@VoltageDropDiagnostics]

Thanks Chad! What technique do you use when finding shorted circuits? I always like hearing how different techs attack the same issues differently.

[@arthurfricchione8119]

Excellent video PJ. Thanks for showing an excellent way of troubleshooting. Have a Merry Christmas Artie ❤️

[@VoltageDropDiagnostics]

Merry Christmas to you, too, Arthur!

[@richardsalaverria9363]

You just sold me on a standalone amp clamp/meter that I was thinking of buying! This is an awesome technique that I never thought of but it makes perfect sense. I'm really glad Paul Danner recommend your channel as your videos are short yet very Informative. Thanks for the info, subscribed.

[@VoltageDropDiagnostics]

Thanks Richard! But yes, I use this little amp clamp pretty regularly. It for sure comes in handy

[@Kmg93]

I came across this video the other day without searching this issue. Today I had a vehicle in blowing the fuse on the audio unit circuit. Used this method with the bulb and the unplug test and bam light out. Audio unit shorted to ground. Thanks for the top tip!!

[@VoltageDropDiagnostics]

Haha! Listen. This makes me happy to hear that it actually helped someone out! Thanks for sharing the story!

[@ro-longo3697]

Excellent video, now I need to buy that amp clamp.

[@VoltageDropDiagnostics]

yup! Luckily this one isnt too expensive.

[@ovwok]

Nice video! I do it the cheap guy way. I use a bimetallic flasher and a Cracker Jack compass. The short will cause the flasher to click back and forth. Then I follow the wire with the compass, the needle will point to the short. At a y in the the wiring the compass pulse will be stronger down the wire with the direct short.

[@VoltageDropDiagnostics]

I have seen that way before with just an analog amp gauge. I never thought to use a compass! That's a great idea!

[@ovwok]

Voltage Drop Diagnostics I apologize I was not trying too high jack your video but some guys viewing don't do this every day and can't afford the nice tools.

[@VoltageDropDiagnostics]

Mark Patton no worries man! I like hearing how everyone attacks problems differently. I hope someone sees your comment and learns a new technique, too. Listen, I’ve gotten comments about how much of a waste of time this was. Your comment was informative. Nothing wrong with that haha But this amp clamp wasn’t expensive. It was a cheaper $50 one. And works pretty well.

[@ovwok]

Anyone who says the video was a waste of time has short sightedness. You showed a technique on something simple that way everyone watching could follow along. If it's too simple for them they could just move on to the next video! Or post a link to their advanced video, we could all do without the hate these days! Keep up the good work brother I know it takes a lot of effort to put these out.

[@tommego1]

Thanks a lot for the good lesson

[@fieldsofomagh]

Handy tip, saves on fuses !!

[@VoltageDropDiagnostics]

Yeah, and saves me from the parts guys hating me for asking for a handful haha

[@High_Tech_Mountain]

Love the technique PJ! In short time (no pun intended) you were able to get great direction! Thanks for sharing. & for shorts/opens I’ve had good luck with the Powerprobe short finder. But now I learned a new technique. as always thanks!

[@VoltageDropDiagnostics]

How do you like that short finder? I used it years and years ago without much luck. But i was a lot less experienced, and had even less patience. Haha I keep thinking about buying it. But i don’t want it to be a waste of money either.

[@High_Tech_Mountain]

Voltage Drop Diagnostics it definitely isn’t the must user friendly. But it’s saved me tons of time diagnosing opens in harnesses. If I was to loose it or it broke... I would buy it again! Merry Christmas to you and your family brother!

[@jesushernandezbrito3342]

Thank you for your video , very interesting.

[@VoltageDropDiagnostics]

Thanks for watching!

[@hamzalag2006]

Thank you

[@TheDisgruntledMechanic]

Good information and diag.

[@VoltageDropDiagnostics]

Thanks buddy!

[@ianhart356]

As always, excellent! Needed to see this video a few years ago... Before I figured out the same fuse to bulb replacement technique . I didn't have an amp clamp, instead I measured the circuit voltage to ground in different places. As I got closer to the short to ground, the voltage dropped lower and lower to some 10 or 20 milli volts. Thanks again for the great content!

[@VoltageDropDiagnostics]

Thanks man! I haven't used that technique myself yet. Does it work well?

[@ianhart356]

I just removed bulbs and measured the voltage to ground at each socket. As I got close to the short the voltage to ground was less. In my case the wiring to the rear license plate bulb was pinched under a screw head. The voltage to ground in the license plate bulb socket was very close to zero and the pinched wire was right there. I guess if you have easy access to wires, use a current clamp. If bulb sockets or terminals are easily accessible, measure voltages to ground. Thanks again for your great content!

[@AIRCon250]

great tip indeed

[@VoltageDropDiagnostics]

Thank you!

[@isalmankhan1]

Thanks for sharing👍

[@VoltageDropDiagnostics]

Thanks for watching!

[@noeygarza6522]

Looks Like I need to study Ohm's Law a little bit more. Great Video.

[@Silentb00]

Great video educational 👍🏼

[@VoltageDropDiagnostics]

Thank you! I am glad that you liked it!

[@Silentb00]

Love your stuff you are very gifted in your field. Keep up the videos, love watching them and love your good character. Thanks again for your knowledge sharing.

[@goodautodiagnosticsllc7475]

Good video and explanation PJ. It makes it nice when the circuit your testing has connectors that allow you to split it half. Streamlines the diagnostic process. I've used a bulb like you just did for short finding. To keep from having to constantly look at the bulb during short finding, I like to use a turn signal flasher because the audible clicking. When the clicking stops, you've just found your problem.

[@VoltageDropDiagnostics]

That turn signal flasher trick sounds great! Do you still put a bulb in series? Or are you just using the flasher?

[@goodautodiagnosticsllc7475]

@@VoltageDropDiagnostics I'm just using the flasher in cases when I'm away from the fuse and can't see the light without walking around the car.

[@VoltageDropDiagnostics]

Good Auto Diagnostics so my question is. With a dead short, i assume that it clicks really fast. But when there isn’t a short, the clicking slows down?

[@samuelkidane6125]

Thank you for your time and effort.. I really enjoy your videos and learning from it . Please can you do a video on evap system p0441 incorrect purge flow and p0455 large evap leak detected . What does it means when both codes set as a dtc

[@VoltageDropDiagnostics]

Sure! The next time that I see one, I will film it.

[@muresanioan7130]

thank you

[@VoltageDropDiagnostics]

Thanks for watching!

[@alexanderthegrape5370]

Those who can't do teach not in your case great job on both fronts 💪

[@VoltageDropDiagnostics]

Man! That's a nice compliment! Thank you!

[@caliautotech21]

Nice video as always man!

[@VoltageDropDiagnostics]

Thanks! I appreciate it!

[@caliautotech21]

Not sure if you posted this before or not but do you have a link for that amp meter?

[@VoltageDropDiagnostics]

I believe it is in this video description. If not, I'll send you a link here if you need it.

[@caliautotech21]

Sorry I’m a knucklehead should have checked that first... merry Christmas

[@mikimehandziski1045]

Excelent! Thanks

[@VoltageDropDiagnostics]

Thanks, Mike!!

[@TheGibby3340]

You mentioned that there did not appear to be an obvious defect with the socket...You likely know once in a while, the solder "Blob" on the contacts of the lamp itself will deform or corrode. Bridging the contacts . Nice Vid thx

[@VoltageDropDiagnostics]

I have seen that before! This time I believe that the one power terminal was just bent into the ground terminal. But it was hard to see in there to know for sure. I had an extra socket in my box so I just grabbed that. But now you have me wondering if it was just solder! Thanks for watching!

[@carpenterfamily6198]

2015 Toyota Sienna STOP Fuse would blow immediately, repeatedly. As others have mentioned we did have a bad / shorted brake light bulb, but in our case the wiring to our trailer hitch was ALSO shorted. Having two problems made it very hard to find ( confusion ) ~ ' just wanted to post this to help the next person.

[@briankotze57]

Awesome

[@VoltageDropDiagnostics]

Thanks Brian!

[@jasonc.4683]

Holy crap PJ this is awesome. Would u say the hardest part of all this is finding the connectors where they split from? Or not at all because u know these cars very well. I'm forcing myself to strictly understand different manufactures OE wiring diagrams. Right now I'm on VW and Audi. Next will be toyota 😁😁. The color diagrams from Mitchell is cool but most of the time they leave alot of important information out as u know. Thank u PJ. Talk to u soon my great friend

[@VoltageDropDiagnostics]

The hardest part for sure if finding the connector locations. Now, i don’t have Toyota connectors memorized like Keith does lol. I just know that a lot are always in the kick panels. But i don’t know what they’re called. I have to reference back and forth between the wiring diagram and connector locations charts. I have a love hate relationship with a/m wiring diagrams. It’s nice having all makes and models laid out the same way. But like you said. It doesn’t always show all of the junction points, and connectors and then you NEED oem diagrams. When testing components, i love using the A/m wiring diagrams. But when it becomes a real electrical problem, then i start searching for the oem diagrams

[@jasonc.4683]

@@VoltageDropDiagnostics I remember at the staten island meet up........ me and him searched a connector for that subaru and he just looked at the connector picture, not where it's at in the cat and he said "ok let's go". Went to the car and was like that's the one. I'm like what the heck. 🙃🙃. That right there forced me to look at wiring diagrams now and read between the lines and practice on different types looking for connectors. I will never forget that day. But I understand its alot of experience he has. I only have barely 2 years doing this diag stuff my friend. Well enough pep talk.... let's get back to work. Take care my Amigo 😊😊

[@MrEvo07250]

Great video bro. Really like your videos. Keep it up! Also, what other methods can you use to detect a short and what front probes did you use. I want to make the 2amp bulb you made. Thanks

[@VoltageDropDiagnostics]

The front probes I got from a company called aeswave, the terminal kit it called the utest kit. The banana ends i used to make the bulb attach to the utest kit i got from Amazon. Here is a link to them. amzn.to/3qTYAsE

[@eazymoney1463]

Nice

[@autotech1100]

This video was helpful indeed. I appreciate you sharing those techniques for finding short circuits. I was recently shopping for an inductive meter. I’m looking at the Fluke 325. I couldn’t tell which one you were using but it looks like a good size for under dash testing.

[@VoltageDropDiagnostics]

I have a link in the description to the meter that I was using, and its not bad for the price. But id bet that the fluke 325 is a little better of a meter.

[@meblake7359]

Can you use the inductive amp meter to find all shorts this way?

[@rrmech11]

👍👍

[@VoltageDropDiagnostics]

Thanks Richard!

[@smms5056]

👍🤙

[@VoltageDropDiagnostics]

Sm Ms haha! Thanks man!

[@hamham4547]

Great troubleshooting procedures JP, how you choose the bulble amperage to replace the blowed fuse?

[@VoltageDropDiagnostics]

Honestly, i just stay around the 2 amp range, and it seems to work well for most circuits

[@hamham4547]

@@VoltageDropDiagnostics is it safe for ecu? If the fuse is for the ecu or some module?

[@MiguelMartinez-np8uo]

Great vid, thank you for sharing your diagnostic process. I have a question regarding a 1985 Chevy Silverado that use to burn a fuse for the tails lights intermittently once in a while at times , I tried to check it to fix it but couldn’t. What you suggest what suggest I do to find the problem?

[@VoltageDropDiagnostics]

How often does it blow? Depending on how often that circuit blows, would determine how I would attack the problem.

[@AN-kg4ei]

Placing a bet for dead short @ trailer harness...

[@VoltageDropDiagnostics]

I have also seen those harnesses short out. Thats probably the first place to look.

[@MiguelMartinez-np8uo]

Voltage Drop Diagnostics maybe once every two weeks that’s why I had a very hard time to find the problem.

[@joelopez40oz23]

The White Board of knowledge.

[@VoltageDropDiagnostics]

I like that! Thank you!

[@markwilliam4376]

Thanks for the video! Anyone know how to do this without the light but a bunch of fuses to blow?

[@VoltageDropDiagnostics]

Start disconnecting connectors to isolate circuits. Replace the fuse and see if it blows. If it doesnt, you know that the short is after the connector that was unplugged. If it still does, the short is before that connector. Continue until you find the short.

[@angsdoordecorandmore9132]

💡💛🚌

[@darrell2400]

How’s that meter for parasitic drains?

[@VoltageDropDiagnostics]

For me? I like it. Now, it doesn't measure less than 10ma. But thats fine with me. Anything less than 50ma is a pass. I actually bought that meter for checking for parasitic draws. But it you want something accurate to 1ma you'll probably need to spend a little more for a better one.

[@lovetolearn5253]

Could you of omh tested the connector to see if it was shorted?

[@VoltageDropDiagnostics]

Yeah, absolutely I could have. I just didn't know which corner of the car was causing the short, so I didn't know which socket was causing the issue. But after finding out the RF parking light was the area of concern, an ohms test would have found the issue for sure.

[@lovetolearn5253]

@@VoltageDropDiagnostics cool, I understand it would of been a little over kill but definitely would have been cool to see.

[@jamesbanks4412]

What city are you located in?

[@VoltageDropDiagnostics]

Pittsburgh

[@phillipwilson6781]

A simple test would be look which bulb is not lit that would be your short.

[@VoltageDropDiagnostics]

Well, because of the dead short, none of the lights worked because the instant you turned the light switch on, the fuse would blow.

[@tracycolorado]

@@VoltageDropDiagnostics ; Truth

[@phillipwilson6781]

@@VoltageDropDiagnostics I want to retract my statement. Your test method was right. Awesome video.

[@AN-kg4ei]

@@VoltageDropDiagnostics When you substituted the bulb/load at the panel, would you have been able to tell with the lights on which bulb was the culprit? I love your process of nailing down the circuit branches - thanks for sharing.

[@VoltageDropDiagnostics]

Thats a good question and one that I'm honestly not 100% sure of. Now I do know that with the bulb in place of the fuse, the parking lights were very, very dim. They lit, but they were hard to see. But I honestly didnt even think to check the RF to see if it was dim or not.

[@scottgroen7782]

Lets see, you start with a rear problem on the whiteboard and move to a front headlight problem........... Not bad logic but ya gotta work on your delivery, bud.

[@VoltageDropDiagnostics]

😂🤣😆 Thanks for watching man.

[@mdsymonds75]

He wants to make sure everyone's paying attention!! 🤓

[@VoltageDropDiagnostics]

I have an apprentice, and before i even touched the car; i pulled up a wiring diagram and showed him on the whiteboard my game plan showing him hypothetical scenarios. The white board was only hypothetical. 🤷‍♂️🤷‍♂️

[@screamingflat6]

Nice brother where you got the 2a bulb?