'89 Spider Quad - Fuse #8 Problems

[ilpescatore]

Hi, I was hoping someone might have some suggestions on common causes for fuse #8 (window relay) to keep blowing on an 1989 Spider Quad.

I noticed the dash gauges were not working while driving (battery light also came on). As I got home I also found out that both windows wouldn't go up. I replaced the blown #8 fuse (it had a 10a in the slot #8) with another 10a, and the windows rolled up and dash/gauges all worked. After a few mins, I tried to pwr down the windows and the fuse blew again.

After some research here, I replaced the window relay (I12) with the rear window relay (I2), replaced the fuse with a correct 7.5a and it blew. Both of these relays were the old Sipea 0440's, so somebody might have already tired the relay swap.

-I've ordered a couple of replacement relays, but in the interim, will I hurt anything if I test the ones I have by putting them in the I3 slot and check if the horn works? That should verify the relays are fine. I still can't see it being the relay since I got the windows to go up once with a 10a fuse.

-Any suggestions on other possible common causes? I just recently purchased the car (~200 miles with me behind the wheel). The only thing different I did the day it happened was I turned on the defrost for the first time. The control for the defrost had a little resistance/binding so maybe I dislodged a ground that's behind the center console? How do I test the switch? Also, he windows powered up/down fine and fast before this happened.

Any help is appreciated.

Thanks, Fish

[ilpescatore]

In case anyone is interested, I swapped out pwr window relay with a new one and the 7.5a fuse blew right away again, so it wasn't that. Next I took out the window switch itself and took it apart. I did find one that one of the contacts inside had broken off and might have been shorting out the circuit. I am tracking down another switch to hopefully remedy the problem.

I did put in another 7.5a fuse, with the window switch unplugged (figuring I could drive it and have dash electronics and just leave the windows up) and the fuse blew right away again. Does anyone know if that would create an open circuit thus removing the window switch (implying I have a problem other than the switch) or a short (meaning its probably the switch)?

Any help is appreciated. I think I have bought all of the 7.5a fuses in my town.

Thanks, Fish

[papajam]

The heated rear window relay, seatbelt device and the glovebox light are also powered by fuse #8. The glovebox light would top my list.

[ilpescatore]

Thanks a million Jim, you were right on.

I didn't see anything obvious on the wires/switch in the glove box, so I pulled the bulb from the glove box, swapped out another 7.5a fuse and the dash instruments and windows worked again (minus the one button on the switch that was on its last legs that I probably made worse taking the switch apart) .

I'll try to figure out where the glove box ckt is shorted later as I have a brand new box of 20 7.5a fuses to fry! I'll post what I find, if anything, to wrap up the thread, for the next person that runs into this.

I appreciate your help.

Thanks, Fish