My '03 Baja failed inspection for a passenger side front blinker light being out.  I replaced the bulb and thought all was good,  took car back to have re-inspected but was told the tail lights were out.   went to replace the bulbs in rear, but none appeared to be blown so checked the # 5 fuse and that was blown.  I replaced that fuse and it blew immediately.  checked bulbs again and also checked sockets for corrosion, all appeared fine

So I tried Having the front running lights with the sockets not hooked up but back lights fully intact, and the back lights worked. If I then plug in driver side front light socket the fuse doesn't blow, however, if I add a bulb to that socket, or have passenger side socket installed at same time as driver side, the fuse will blow. 

 

My question is:   Has anyone had this type of issue and how did you resolve it? 

Short to ground somewhere.  You are on the right track isolating the lights.  

You might want to check the amperage draw on each light and see which one is high.

The socket is shorted inside. Assuming all other lights work properly when the socket is unplugged.