2002 911 C2 with 12k miles. I noticed my instrument cluster lights were off at night although my headlights were on. The license plate lights were out too.
The first thing I did was check the fuse. Its a 15a and it was blown. I replaced it and it blew after about 10 minutes. I replaced the headlight switch. This morning it was on for about an hour and then the fuse popped again. I've taken out the bulbs for the license plates and everything in there looks new. Not rusty or anything like that. I left them out and put in a new fuse. Popped again. Each time you replace the fuse, sometimes it will last 30 mins and sometimes its an instant pop. The fuse only pops when you turn the headlights on, it stays in tact if you dont turn on the lights.
I'm desperate.

 

Fixed

 

Please share? What was the solution? Thanks!

 

The problem was the rear license plate light wires. It had touched a hot engine part and shorted.