Help, got a 2006 K74 and have lost my interior lights, stereo, clock and central locking. Checked fuses and the 10a one under the bonnet has blown, replaced it and blew instantly. I've checked the interior light bulbs with a spare battery and a couple of wires and the're fine. have disconnected the stereo and door switches and it still blows the fuse.

bizarrely the central locking still works with the ignition on but not with ingition off.

Does anyone have any ideas of where to look next as I can't be doing without a stereo.

You could wire the stereo ( through an inline fuse ) , direct to the battery as a temporary measure until you work out whats causing your short.

My guess is you have an earth to live issue , possibly through some chaffing ( possibly behind the stereo ?) ...Only thing I would say is definetly continue to chase it down , as I wouldn't what you to start having other issues or potentially even worse melting wires

wasn't there a thread a while back when someone had a similar issue and it turned out it was the stereo that was causing it ? something to do with no earth on the replacement radio ?

Cheers for your suggestions chaps, My money's on a rubbed wire somewhere as the stereo's been in there 2 years without an issue, also disconnecting the thing doesn't get rid of the problem.

Guess I'll be taking the dash apart which i'm guessing will be a fun weekend. these things are never designed to come apart once they leave the factory.

Guess I could stick in a bigger fuse and wait to see what starts smoking

check the ciggie lighter and light fitting itself