Brakes blow my fuse and have to use fog lights to tail lights

Hi on my Land Rover defender 110 1991 200 tdi when I press the break pedal the fuse blows , also my back lights and dash lights only light up when I put he fog light stick on .any ideas what could be the problem thanks

There must be a short after the brake peddle light switch but before the lights themselves. There is only power going to the lights when the peddle is pressured and the switch 'connects'.

If your wiring is still inside the chassis this might be difficult to check unless the fault is at either end, which is most likely. Start from the lights as this is probably easiest. One of the light wiring will be to the chassis as the earth, the other should go all the way to the switch.

You can get to the brake switch without too much trouble (or at least I can on my 1985 110) which is located between the brake box and the bulkhead. Check to make sure the connection from the switch isn't shorting to the sides.

I am predicting the only hard bit will be finding where the wire it shorting. shouldn't be a hard one.

do a search
the loom in chassis rubs through or behind rear lights in body seams

I had the same and it was the bulb holders for the rear lights. Changed them all and been faultless since.

While your at it, clean up any earth's. The main battery to chassis and gearbox being the first

Thanks for the replies put a brand new brake switch on , still blowing the fuse . Found a burnt out wire that was earthing out was the indicator. Some body had taped in to the brakes to power the indicators replaced this back to the fuse board. So still blowing the fuse and now my indicator relay screams at me when I indicate right then blows a fuse if left on to long

paulmountford100 said:

Thanks for the replies put a brand new brake switch on , still blowing the fuse . Found a burnt out wire that was earthing out was the indicator. Some body had taped in to the brakes to power the indicators replaced this back to the fuse board. So still blowing the fuse and now my indicator relay screams at me when I indicate right then blows a fuse if left on to long

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That suggests a hard earth on one of the right indicator feeds. Disconnect at the rear connector (inside) and test again. If it's still the same, disconnect at the front loom plug under the bonnet and retest. You really need a ohm meter to work much further into the loom.

2nd hand Landy ownership is nothing if it isn't surprising. Already feel sorry for the person who will inherit my wiring when I have to sell the car.