Instrument panel lights on late 1995 4.2 Quattro Sport

[peanutome]

I have a late 1995 4.2 Quattro Sport Tiptronic 4 speed which is great. BUT as of today i have a problem with the instrument panel lights. Fuse 3 in the red fuse panel, which is for every panel light and the headlight washers, keeps blowing after about 30 minutes of driving. It makes it very hard to drive without seeing the speedo etc, or any of the other control buttons. We have had a lot of heavy rain recently but no leaks.

Please anyone got any ideas!!!

David aka Peanutome

[gamma500]

Not familar with your particular Audi but you say the fuse #3 controls dash/instrument lights and headlight washer, right ? Does the headlight washer pump work ? Can you see if the wires at the back of the fuse box coresponding with position #3 shows signs of overheating/charred connectors ? The time when the fuse blows is not associated with hitting some switch, signal stalk, turning on highbeams, right? It blows with everything off except for the steady state dash lights...? Somewhere there is a short which is drawing too many amps which may be the headlight washer pump(doubtful since it would blow fuse only when activated), the headlight washer switch, or possibly the dashlight rheostat for adjusting the brightness level. Sounds like a bit of a job to check the involved wiring to see which one might show signs of overheating or charred connector. No evidence of water behind dash, fuse box area, wet soundproofing or carpet when stuffing your hand up behind ? Nothing easy like the wrong, lower rated fuse in #3, I guess.

Good luck,

Craig

[peanutome]

All dry behind the fuse box, cover and handbook both say 5amp fuse, which is what is fitted. Fuse blows without touching any switches, just having lights on. Nothing flickers to give warning evrything just suddenly goes out.
Cannot see any charred wires yet, will have a closer look later.

Any one got a wiring diagram so i know where the wires go for the intrument panel lighting.

[peanutome]

Right, i think the problem is the reostat that dims the dashboard lights. I think this i have proved this because if i have the lights turned to maximum brightness the fuse has not yet blown. Will try again tommorrow with the display dimmed to see for sure.

If it is the reostat where is it located, (directly behind the buttons?), how do you get to it and where is the best place to buy one, ( i live in britain)