I have a 2003 3.0 Ranger Edge and this #2 fuse keeps shorting out. It controls the running lights, backup lights and fan blower.

I have crawled around looking for bad connections etc. but I really don't know what to look for. I don't consider myself mechanical minded.

I've heard the stories about giant bills to sort out electrical problems.

Does anybody have any ideas that might help me find the problem?

Thanks. This is my first post to this forum

Tasu

 

The wiring diagram I have for 2003 Ranger with 3.0l engine shows Fuse #2 a 10amp fuse, in the cab fuse box, is powering
Transmission control switch
Day Light running(DLR) light module
restraint control module(seat belts)
reverse light switch......if manual trans
transmission range sensor.............if automatic

I don't see a fan blower in the diagram.

But tracking down shorts is time consuming even if you know where all the wires and modules are.
Best bet would be to get a 2003 Ranger EVTM (electrical & vacuum troubleshooting manual) it will have all the circuits and all the locations of the modules.
Then you unplug one module at a time and power the circuit.

I would get a 12volt 10amp circuit breaker so you can reset it each time it "blows".

When circuit breaker stop blowing then you found the module that has the short on it's circuit, so then you have to follow those wires to what they power to find the short.

So yes it can get quite expensive to track down electrical problems if they are not found fairly fast.

If you can think of anything that happened around the time the fuse first blew that could help limit the area to be searched.


The only fast way is to replace fuse with a metal bar and then wait to see where the smoke starts coming out as the shorted wire/module starts to burn.
Don't recommend that, lol, it will melt nearby wires a increase the shorts exponentially.

 

Thanks very much RonD for your reply.

From your info, I think I will start by replacing my passenger seat belt receiver which my dog ( a Blue Heeler ) chewed up. I believe I have to disconnect the battery so I don't explode the internal charge.

tasu

 

Yes, disconnecting battery when doing any electrical work is a good idea.