I have a 01 xlte2wd that Fuse #26 keeps blowing everytime I put a new one in. But my windshield wipers which are a completely different fuse won't work either. That fuse is good and tested it to make sure it was getting power.
Someone had mentioned it could be the GEM module. I have access to a 98 2.3 just for parts. If it is this GEM module can I use the 98 one for my 01. I have realized there is alot of different things on the 2 trucks, but wasn't sure if parts can be universal.

 

Welcome to the forum

No, on the 1998 GEM in 2001

2001 Ranger fuse #26 in cab fuse box, powers battery saver relay and GEM(generic electronics module), instrument cluster and also restraint control module

And GEM runs the wipers and interior lights, i.e. you turn on the wiper switch which causes GEM to activated wiper circuit, wipers have their own fuse, but On/Off is controlled by GEM, so if GEM has no power then wipers won't turn on, that doesn't mean GEM is bad, it just means it is off, fuse 26 blown

So first thing, does the fuse blow as soon as you put in a new one?
Or does it blow after you turn on the key?

If it blows key off then its a dead short most likely
I would start by pulling out fuse #26 then use Volt meter to see which contact for the fuse has 12volts, it will have 12v key on or off.

The "other contact" for that fuse has the short to Ground which is blowing the fuse.
Switch to OHM meter, 200 ohms, and test that "other contact" to a Cab Ground
i.e. ground one probe of the meter and touch other probe to "other contact"
You will get a low OHM number, 0 ohms is a dead short, but low ohms is still a short that will blow the fuse fairly fast

Move wiring around under the dash to see if its a bad wire issue, OHMs will go high when short is gone.

Under the dash above gas pedal area there should be a Relay Box, Auxiliary relay box 1, is its official name
Inside that box is the Battery saver relay, there are several relays in there
Map here: https://www.justanswer.com/ford/1b1i...am-needed.html
Scroll down to aux relay box 1

Pull out Battery saver relay and see if short is gone
If so replace relay
If not Leave it out for now

Now restraint control module, it should be under cup holder in center console, key OFF, unplug it and see if short is gone.
If so you will need to test its wiring to find the short, it might be the module but more likely a wiring issue

Those were the easier one to check

Now you will need to go to GEM, pull out radio
Unplug GEM and see if short is gone
If so then replace GEM, could be wiring but GEMs don't have a great track record, not a common failure but a known failure point.

Then instrument cluster, there is a White/yellow stripe wire that is on the 3rd connector pin 7, it comes from fuse #26.
Unplug connector and see if short is gone.
If so check instrument clusters speedometer, this white wire powers speedometer

 

I just bought this truck and trying to fix I up some. It didn't have a dome light so I had a tech put one in. Drove it how about 15 miles when I smelled wires smoldering. The dome light he put in had melted the wires above headliner so I capped them. That's when it started blowing the #26 fuse. Maybe I still have a piece exposed up there. Is there a disconnect by the door I can unplug to see if that's a possibility? But not sure if that would effect the wiper situation. Any idea's I can try?

 

Wipers can never work until GEM has power, and GEM can never have power until you fix fuse 26 problem, so no wipers

That added wiring was an important part to leave out, lol.

Smoking wires are a sure sign of a dead short.

Interior lights are activated by light relay in Aux Relay Box 1, see diagram above

You will need to have the "tech" go back thru and remove any extra wires he may have added to get dome light working.

Then follow diagram below to see why it wasn't working, and then replace burned out parts as needed.

The way it should work.
After 30 minutes or so with key off, the GEM module will "go to sleep" and open Battery Saver relay, this turns off power to any lights that may have been left on, so battery doesn't run down and you can't start engine.

When you open any door it will GROUND the Battery Saver relay which then powers on the GEM and turns on Dome light.
The Door switch often needs to be replaced, especially drivers door, because if fails to close(ground) when door is opened, so dome light doesn't work.

Look at the wiring diagram, it is fairly straight forward.
If it doesn't make sense to you take it to a different tech and let them trouble shoot the system for you.

If you just want the wipers to work then you are out of luck, there is no short cut for this