Power windows stopped working

RONALD GIAQUINTA

MEMBER
1998 FORD RANGER
3.0L
6 CYL
4WD
AUTOMATIC
114,000 MILES

Power windows stopped working. I went to fuse panel- roadside dash side plate-and the 10 amp fuse was blown. Tried 15 amp-blown, 20 amp-blown and then 25 amp the windows the windows worked fine but the fuse got so hot I pulled it. What could cause this? Also, the 15 an 20 amp fuses blew before I could put key in ignition.
Thank you in advance.

2 Replies

CARADIODOC

MECHANIC
33,873 POSTS

Best suspect is frayed wires between the driver's door hinges. A simple trick to finding a short is to replace the blown fuse with a pair of spade terminals, then use small jumper wires to connect them to a twelve volt light bulb. A brake light bulb works well. When the circuit is live and the short is present, the bulb will be full brightness and hot so be sure it is not laying on the carpet or against a plastic door panel. Now you can unplug electrical connectors and move things around to see what makes the short go away. When it does, the bulb will get dim or go out. In this case, open and close the door, and flex the harness between the hinges.