keeps blowing the ignition fuse

2004 FORD F-150
80,000 MILES
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BKWOLF77
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blows the ignition fuse as soon as key is turned. Have replaced the ignition switch and have traced wires for breaks
Sep 3, 2011 at 4:27 PM
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JDL
  • ASE Certified Mechanic
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  • ASE Certified Mechanic
What is fuse amp rating? Where is it located?
Sep 3, 2011 at 4:53 PM
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CARADIODOC
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Breaks cause no current to flow. Fuses blow for excessive current, as in a wire rubbed through the insulation and grounding out to something metal. Components can also be shorted internally. That's rarely caused by the ignition switch.

A simple trick is to replace the blown fuse with a pair of spade terminals, then use a pair of small jumper wires to connect them to a 12 volt light bulb. When the short is present and the circuit is powered up, the bulb will be full brightness, so don't lay it on carpeting or against a plastic door panel. Now you can unplug things and move wire harnesses around to see what makes the short go away. When it does, the bulb will go out or get dim. The bulb's resistance will limit current flow to a safe value.
Sep 3, 2011 at 4:56 PM
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BKWOLF77
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its a 20amp fuse located in the fuse box in the right kicker panel of the pasengers side
Sep 3, 2011 at 4:59 PM
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JDL
  • ASE Certified Mechanic
  • 16,098 POSTS
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In the diagram below, The top wire is voltage to the ignition switch, comes from that fuse that keeps blowing, lite green wire with violet tracer. The bottom wires are feed from the ignition switch. Wires 1--6--7 are fuse protected.
Sep 3, 2011 at 5:37 PM
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