96 Explorer-Blows fuse when shifted into reverse

[mjt73]

Hey Everyone, got a strange problem. Everytime i shift my 4.0 liter '96 XLT into reverse, it blows the 10 amp fuse that controls the 4x4, rear defrost, and reverse lights. If I replace the fuse, everything works perfectly as long as I don't shift it into reverse. I've been underneath looking for chaffed wires but to no avail. Anyone have this same problem? Any help is greatly appreciated as winter is fast approaching.
Mark

 

[bmxking5]

please don't double post

 

[SportlineXLT]

Well you put it in reverse and you blow the fuse for the reverse lights...sounds to me like you've got something grounding out somewhere in that circuit...probally with the reverse lights. Check all wiring and check for water in your taillights/reverse lights.

 

[mctoy]

Yeah, try removing the reverse bulbs and see if it still blows the fuse. 10A fuses are pretty cheap, and at least you would prove or eliminate that circuit.
MCTOY

 

[mjt73]

No dice. Pulled both bulbs out and the new fuse still snapped instantly. Whole area is clean and dry, so the short has to be somewhere else. Guess I'll just start at the tranny again and work my way back. Thanks for the help.

 

[witchdoctor]

although i don't know where it is located, i know there is a switch that sends power to the reverse lights when you shift into reverse.

maybe it is the switch that is all screwed up.

 

[mjt73]

Good Heads up. Wasn't aware of that. Thanks. I'll give that a look into.
Mark

 

[makena]

I know this post was old but I'm new here and thought I'd reply. I had this same exact problem on a 96 XLT and just found it today. There is a guy on this board Singleton who I'm trying to figure out how to send an email to, to thank. I found his info and this site through google.

ANYWAY, at least on the 96 XLT, fuse 26 controls backup lights, O/D lockout, rear window defogger, some part of 4wd (mine has none of this since I have 2wd. After TONS of testing over 3 days I found it, and it is apparently a pretty common problem.

Inside the steering column, there is a twisted pair of tiny wires running over the top of the column by the shifter, then into the shift lever. This is for the o/d lockout switch that is on the end of the shift lever. Over years of shifting and wearing on the insulation on the wire it wears off. Hard to see at first, but you could actually see bare wire exposed. That shorts to the steering column and blows the fuse. The short has nothing to do with the reverse lights, it is just on the same circuit.

Google Ford Explorer Fuse #26 and you will find Singleton's writeup, but you just take the screws off the bottom of the steering column cover, and the top and bottom halfs come off, sort of. It helps to tilt the wheel up and down when trying to move these by the way. Inside you will see a metal piece with the rubber part that covers the shifter where it comes in to the steering column. You lift that metal piece up and bend the rubber a little and you will see the little black wire under there.

I rigged a tester to find this problem. I removed the backup light bulbs completely, and I put a 12V test light across the fuse terminals where I had removed the fuse. When it shorts the light comes on. By shifting from P to R, I noticed when I didn't lift the shift knob hard but just let it drag along the notch between P and R I had a short. Taking it apart and finding the wire I could not for the life of me make it short. But wiggling the wire and touching it to the metal I finally saw a light flicker and that helped me find the short.

Tape the wire well and reassemble everything and everything is fixed, fuse 26 no longer blows.

Seems to be a common problem, and I know the dealer would have charged me a fortune to find it. Thank you Singleton.

Keywords
fuse 26
backup lights
reverse lights
fuse 26 short

 

[BrooklynBay]

Welcome to this forum! Thanks for posting this valuable information!

 

[2000jim]

Worked for me

I did what Makena said & it was exactly my problem. I fixed it quickly and it saved me from paying the dealer about $200 according to my mechanic friend. Thanks.

 

[neuber]

I had the same problem, here's a link to the fix (with photos):
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=300999