I'll try to keep this short. I have a 97 ranger 2.3l. Fuse 10 blows as soon as key is on. Sometime back cruise began intermittent failings. Chilton's and Haines' books say fuse 10 is GEM and cruise. Owner's manual adds A/C system (no details). Here is what I know. The heater damper actuator is on fuse 10 (cannot live without). I replaced fuse it worked (one day). Nevermore. To prevent freezing, I manually opened damper door and reassembled actuator. Not a good solution in Texas (this year fluctuates from 70 degrees to 20 degrees in one day. Disconnected cruise under hood and in steering wheel as well as actuator connector. Fuse still blows. Heard short in wiring in steering column might be cause. Then on this web sight out of the blue "tire size change might prevent cruise from working. " Is this really true ? Nooooooooooo! Thanks for any help.

 

Welcome to FTE!

It does sound like you have a short somewhere.

The same #10 fues also services the Shift Lock Actuator (prohibits shifting out of nuetral without first pressing the brake - located behind LH side of instrument panel, on brake pedal support) and also the Brake Pressure Switch (deactvates cruise control when brake is applied - located in engine compartment near master cylinder).

So you might want to look over those circuits, as well.

 

Eureka! You are right. I had read in another forum (F150 I think) that they had brake fluid in a connection, but in discussing the location, I did not think it applied to the Ranger. Low and behold, there is a fitting at the front (toward the front of the truck) of the master cylinder. When I removed the connector, it was full of brake fluid. On further investigation, I read that this connection is a backup release for the brake disconnect. If the brake pedal switch does not disconnect the cruise control, applying additional pressure to the brake causes this switch to disconnect the cruise control. I simply removed the connection, put in a new fuse and the heater started working normally. In addition, I wired the two wires from the switch together, and now have cruise control. I really had missed cruise control. Anyway long story short, all is well and the brake still disconnects the cruise control. Thank you for your response. jimdevon

 

Good to hear it's fixed.