1998 Ford Ranger Fuse #26

JEFF1303

MEMBER
1998 FORD RANGER
6 CYL
4WD
MANUAL
244,000 MILES

98 ranger 4.0l 4wd. Fuse #26 blowing. This circut allows elec windows, 4 x 4 elec engage. After the fuse is blown, the elec windows do not operate, four wheel drive will not engage. After it blows, while driving the four wheel, both high and low, dash lights flash for 5 or 6 times. This will happen every 5 minutes while driving. As soon as I replace the fuse with the key in any position it blows.

6 Replies

CARADIODOC

MECHANIC
33,916 POSTS

Hi jeff1303. Welcome to the forum. The cause of fuses that blow right away are easier to find than those that only act up once in a while. A simple trick that lets you troubleshoot without wasting a lot of fuses is to make a pair of wires you can plug into the fuse socket then connect them to a 12 volt light bulb. The bulb will limit current to a safe value and will give you a visual indication of when the short circuit in present in the circuit. A brake light bulb works well for low current circuits.

When the bulb is full brightness you can unplug various things to see what makes the bulb's brightness go down. When it does, you have isolated the short to whatever was unplugged. A good place to look for your problem is the wiring harness between the door hinges. Flex the rubber tubes. If the light flickers, or if it goes out when the door is opened, suspect broken or frayed wires inside the tube.

Caradiodoc

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Tuesday, October 26th, 2010 AT 12:49 PM

GYVER22R

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6 POSTS

I have had the same problems with my 1999 4x4 4.0L with the number 26 fuse blowing, my problem was a small relay box located under the dash in a small black box located close to the firewall close to the radio compartment side there were 4 small relays in it, the relay was bad causing my problems, went to autozone bought a new relay and fixed the problem with the fuse blowing on my truck. Hope this helps to fix your problem.

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Monday, November 1st, 2010 AT 5:59 PM

CARADIODOC

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Thank you for that information. A friend suggested the GEM module but I thought those were only used in the full-size trucks. There has been a lot of trouble with water leaking past the windshield and getting into that module.

Is that relay box the GEM module or just a box full of relays?

Caradiodoc

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Tuesday, November 2nd, 2010 AT 4:50 AM

GYVER22R

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From what i can see the box is full of relays only , here is a picture of it the relay box and the location is beside the console in the middle of the truck beside the heater vents the box was taped up had to get tape off to get inside the box.

oh the left upper relay in the picture was the problem, i switched out the relays to make sure so i put the new one in where i pulled the other out.

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Tuesday, November 2nd, 2010 AT 2:13 PM

CARADIODOC

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That appears to be just a relay box with common relays that are also used by Chrysler. What I find interesting is how did you determine it was a defective relay and how did you figure out which one?

Caradiodoc