fuse popping now, crazy things!!!!

[LanceB]

My fuse for the dash lights and parking lights keeps popping now. My manual says these shouldn't be on the same fuse, but I haven't done any electic work on the car in 10 years, so I just assumed it has been this way for awhile. This gremlin is tricky. The battery light and buzzer light on the center console keep going on/off with acceleration/deceleration when I am driving. It has had trouble starting, but it is a brand new battery. I suspected the alternator, but the charge meter on the dash is reading 11'ish when nothing on, 14'ish when idling, it goes way up (to 18+) when I am on the freeway. I think this is normal. I took it to work today, and the new fuse popped again. I had one with me so I put a new one in, and then it wouldn't start?!. No power at all. I don't know why I did this (maybe panic so trying anything to get it to start), but I jiggled the positive battery cable and power was back and it started no problem, but as I was going home the fuse went out again. Don't know if all of this is related, but it also seems to want to die when I slow down real fast at a stop light, it idles at about 500 rpm when in drive sitting still. I think that is related to the carb, not a huge deal probably just needs adjusting. But the lights going out, not starting, buzzer and battery light going on/off are driving me insane! Any advice would be much appreciated....

 

[6880 Mike]

Take her to Autozone or any of the generic shops which test alternators and have them test yours. 11 or so if okay if you've got accessories running; 14 at idle with nothing on is all you should get. If memory serves, you should not be getting a reading above 14 at highway speeds.

Fuse blowing problems suggest a definite short to me, possibly the ignition switch, but before going in that direction, have the alternator checked.

Battery cables should not be loose.