I have a short on my fuse panel

[CJHenderson]

I have a short on my fuse panel for fuse number 7 and 8. Have disconnected everything going into the trunk then started to reinstall one item at a time. First was the trunk light which worked then taillight assembly doing the left one first which popped the #7 fuse followed by the right taillight which popped the #8 fuse. Check that the trunk harness was wired properly at the plug, that checked good. Any suggestions?

[BobH]

Do you have your rear side markers connected, do the fuses blow if you disconnect the side markers?

Also meant to ask, whether the fuses blow straight away when you connect them, or when you turn the lights on?

[CJHenderson]

The side markers are disconnected. I have some tools coming in the morning that hopefully will make trouble shooting a little easier.

[waltklatt]

Remove the bulbs and check with a volt tester to the bulb contacts.  Maybe a wire is grounded somewhere.  Have had the bulb contacts touching the ground on the bulbs in the past.

[WhiteBlue]

Check that the short lead leading to the licence plate light has correct polarity. Ensure that the ground lead goes to the licence plate light housing.

[CJHenderson]

Thank you, Mike, for the great advice, the license plate lights were wired backwards on both sides, the problem solved.