Blowing rear brake light/turn signal fuse

[LBCertified]

I have a 1961 beetle, I had to to put new fenders on the rear. After doing so my brake light fuse/turn signal fuse keeps blowing. I replaced the bulb holders because they were in bad shape. I have the snowflake tail lights. The running lights work with no issues. I double checked several times to make sure the connections were correct. I tried troubleshooting from other articles on the samba. Nothing has worked. I literally had no issues with these lights in the past. I believe these type of lights are grounded by the housing. Should I run a ground wire from the bulb holder to the fender separately? Please help.

[KTPhil]

It's a good idea to scrape paint from the fender where the screw/washer fit against it to get a better ground. Probably not your problem, though.

It's more likely that the "hot" wire is grounding out somewhere it shouldn't. Bulb holders are notorious for this. Also, it may not short without a bulb, but when you add the bulb, the flexible terminal sits slightly proud and shorts.

Try removing the bulbs. If that stops it, add one bulb (one side) at a time and see what blows a fuse.

Any chance there is an improper mix of single/dual filament bulbs and sockets?

[LBCertified]

I am using the 1157 dual filament bulb. They only go in the holder one way.

[slayer61]

[Jeff Geisen]

Wire a headlight in place of the fuse with a jump wire, kind of a variable fuse. Isolate the offending circuit from the fuse back making connections as you go. When that headlight glows, there’s your trouble. Color highlighted isolated circuits are available right here in the technical section.
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I Corinthians 4: 1 thru 5

‘63 ragtop - ‘68 single cab