[VAXcat]

I've got a 96 with approx. 240,000 miles on it. Lately, it has been blowing fuse #35 (ctsy/powerlock). If replaced, it lasts for a week or two, then fails again. Obviously, I have an intermittent short in one of the circuits it feeds (door lock internal switches, courtesy lamps, remote rear view mirrors adjustment). Being intermittent, it's hard to pin down where. Thought I'd ask if anyone else has had this sort of problem - maybe it's a common one?

 

[MWP]

Sounds independent of using the things on those circuits, so that's good info. I'd start with identifying the always-hot or ignition-on-hot wires on that fuse from the wiring diagram, then look for flexing/rubbing against metal with hot wires between body and driver's door controls. Not necessarily the problem, but that door has been opened a lot.

Examples: my wiper short was at the small-gauge flat harness coming out of the bottom of the steering column which rubbed every time the wheel is tilted, and a trunk wiring break was at a tight bend that flexes/pulls each time the trunk lid opened.

 

[Fred Kiehl]

Disconnect individual circuits and wait a while to see if it still blows the fuse. Check the wire bundle below the carpet on the driver's side by your left foot.

 

[VAXcat]

Thanks for the info - looks like the old "divide and conquer" troubleshooting will eventually locate the intermittent short.

 

[Z09B4U]

looks like the old "divide and conquer" troubleshooting will eventually locate the intermittent short.

Sounds like you know diagnostic procedures.

look for flexing/rubbing against metal with hot wires between body and driver's door controls.

Just a picture to add(from a CV)

You may find damaged OEM wiring or aftermarket wiring in this area. IE in the door, between door and car, or in the kick panel(by parking brake). These are areas that remote starters and alarms patch into the door locks.

If you have OEM remote entry or another system you could temporally disconnect them for a while.

Unplugging the driver's lock controls would be another easy test.

Waiting a week or two is a pain but easier than starting with the door panels or kick panel and messing with the wire bundles if you do not see obvious damage.

 

[roy williams]

I've got a 96 with approx. 240,000 miles on it. Lately, it has been blowing fuse #35 (ctsy/powerlock). If replaced, it lasts for a week or two, then fails again. Obviously, I have an intermittent short in one of the circuits it feeds (door lock internal switches, courtesy lamps, remote rear view mirrors adjustment). Being intermittent, it's hard to pin down where. Thought I'd ask if anyone else has had this sort of problem - maybe it's a common one?

well my 1996 Impala is that fuse 15yrs ago..the driver door is a wire that has the door steel plate that has the interior door handle ...the metal is a sharp edge and the wire is touching ... then I used electrical tape to cover the inside doors all of them ... the driver door is that fuse #35 ORANGE wire is shorted on that metal edge !!!