Okay here is the deal. My dash lights and guage lights went out last year. Turned out a fuse was blown. I replaced fuse. Now 10 months later I am driving down road get pulled for no tail lights. I notice my guage lights are out as well. I figured it was blown fuse so I told them I would replace it right then and there. I did, flipped my lights ona nd BAM! the fuse sparks and blows. We try again same thing. They made me try a third time and then escorted me the 12 miles home. (It was dark)
The fuse that blows is the 15 FUSE number 8 in the under hood fuse box. I have pulled my tail lights and looked and cannot seem to figure out what is going on and where.
Any suggestions on where to look or where to even start?

 

You might want to pull off your steering column covers and check for exposed wiring. The plastic coating wears off from rubbing on metal surfaces while driving, the vibration. Been showing up a lot in Excursions lately. And the symptoms from Excursion to Excursion are many and varied.

When my wiring was on it's way to becoming exposed, I lost all my instrument gauges. Then it wouldn't charge the battery. Then the ABS light came on. Then the steering column started smoking with each new fuse I popped in. Just kept manifesting itself in a different way with each passing day.

See the pictures at this link....

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/7...uestion-3.html

 

Thanks. I am soooooo beyond frusterated with this. This has been a bad year for me and the Ex it has been one repair after another. But I may just have a new one after this year is over. No not buying a new one just replacing everything on this one. But still cheaper than a new truck payment.
I will make an attempt at removing the steering wheel parts you talked baout and looking it all over. If it isnt that then we must come up with something else. (notice I say "we" lol) I am def no brainiac when it comes to new vehicles.