Blowing fuses
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Senior User
Joined: Sep 2003
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From: Colorado
Blowing fuses
Vehicle is an '88 Bronco XLT.
I've blown 4 turn signal fuses in the last week (Fuse #5 in the box). At first I thought water was getting in something, because the first three blew when I was driving in rain, but the fourth blew on a perfectly dry day. Before I go chasing wires around in the truck, is there any place that I might get lucky if I look first? Is this a common problem that anyone else has had?
Thanks.
I've blown 4 turn signal fuses in the last week (Fuse #5 in the box). At first I thought water was getting in something, because the first three blew when I was driving in rain, but the fourth blew on a perfectly dry day. Before I go chasing wires around in the truck, is there any place that I might get lucky if I look first? Is this a common problem that anyone else has had?
Thanks.
Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 9,182
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From: Gateway to the West
Does it pop whether the turn signal circuit is "ON" or not? Does it pop when you try to turn left? Right? Doesn't matter? Do the hazzard flashers work? You can reduce the number of possible locations for the problem if you can determine this. My initial suggestion would be a grounded wire somewhere in the harness. The rear lamp wiring harness drops down under the rear of the truck and is exposed to the elements and potential flying debris more than the other turn signal wiring in the truck. This doesn't guarantee the problem is located at the rear its just a point of fact that the harness runs where it does.
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From: Colorado
So here is what I've found: There was a connector in the back that wasn't hooked up to anything. It has something to do with the turn signal system, because it has the green/orange, blue/orange and black/pink wires in it. I also get voltage pulse from it when the blinkers are on. I'm guessing it is a leftover from when the the previous owner put in the trailor wiring? I took a pic, you can <a href="http://www.ford302-351.com/fte/connector.jpg">view it here</a>.
Whatever this connector is, I cleaned the gook out of it and taped it over so that more stuff won't get in it. I chased the rest of the wires to the front of the vehicle and couldn't find any other problems. The rest of the trailor wiring looks good do, it was a very clean install.
One odd thing though: When I first turn on the hazards, the back left light won't blink. However, if I turn the left turn signal on and then off (while the hazards are on), it will start to blink. Strange?? Anyways, I've put a new fuse in and I'll see how long it lasts. Thanks for the help, check out that pic, I'd like to figure out what the connector is for.
Whatever this connector is, I cleaned the gook out of it and taped it over so that more stuff won't get in it. I chased the rest of the wires to the front of the vehicle and couldn't find any other problems. The rest of the trailor wiring looks good do, it was a very clean install.
One odd thing though: When I first turn on the hazards, the back left light won't blink. However, if I turn the left turn signal on and then off (while the hazards are on), it will start to blink. Strange?? Anyways, I've put a new fuse in and I'll see how long it lasts. Thanks for the help, check out that pic, I'd like to figure out what the connector is for.
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Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 225
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From: Birmingham AL
I had a similar problem with mine a few years back. I had to carry a box of fuses with me everywhere I went. I think I fixed it by replacing both front turn signal bulbs and the back brake and tail light bulbs.
1988 EB Bronco - 302 - AOD - 3.55 Limited Slip - Manual Hubs and Transfer case - BFG 32/11.5 AT - 208,000 miles
1988 EB Bronco - 302 - AOD - 3.55 Limited Slip - Manual Hubs and Transfer case - BFG 32/11.5 AT - 208,000 miles
