Strange repeating blown fuse

[benobi]

Hi all,

I'm having some real problems with a repeating blown fuse, was hoping for some advice from those who know !

I think the fuse in question is fuse 10 - basically the speedometer, fuel gauge, temperature, reversing lights all don't work anymore.

I replaced with 7.5 fuse and everything works for a while, then it blows out again.

I had the car for 2 months and everything was working fine until about 2 weeks ago. The only thing I can think that was done prior to the fuse popping the first time was that I cleaned the carpet under the pedals with carpet cleaner - would this have any effect on the circuits?

Please help, getting tired replacing fuses every day (and it's getting pricey too)...

Cheers

Ben

[Brianmoooore]

Very common fault. There is a loom that goes from a white two pin plug near the base of the gearlever (under the gaiter), down through the gearlever grommet, along the gear linkage and to the reverse light switch on the gearbox.
This wire is damaged, probably where it goes across the linkage, and is shorting to earth. Either repair or replace this wire.

[benobi]

Thanks for your advice Brian.

So you don't think that the carpet cleaner has anything to do with this? I noticed that the carpet is still damp (went overboard with the cleaning fluid) - I've been trying to soak it up with a cloth under the driver's mat.

Cheers

Ben

[Brianmoooore]

Lift up the gear lever gaiter, and find the plug and socket down by the right hand side of the bottom of the lever and pull it apart. If this stops the fuse blowing, then the problem is what I've said.