Electrical/ Fuse problem

[ajezior]

I bought a 1997 Ford Explorer AWD 5.0L for super cheap over the summer so I am still learning what I can about Ford's.

Current problem is, the fuse that controls the power locks, power windows and power seats just blew out of no where a couple days ago. I bought a replacement fuse and stuck it in, unlocked with no problems, and started it and began driving. Only a block away I tried to roll my window down and nothing was working again.

So what comes to mind for me is find the wire that's shorting out. Which can be a long process. Is there anything else I can check? And if I do have to locate the bad wire, where can I get a wire diagram?

 

[ajezior]

Bump

 

[xpolice-explorer]

Get a Haynes or Chilton's Manual, they are worth the 15-20 bucks if for nothing more than the wiring diagrams, although they are not the best out there.

My best guess is there is a wire in the door jamb, where the harness comes out of the body into the door. Even the best of designs can not eliminate the constant opening/closing of the door, a lot of movement means rubbing wires. Found this same issue in a clients heep, and found 2 wires had rubbed ea other and were shorting right where they went into the door. I suspect it's my intermittent pass door lock switch problem as well.

 

[koda2000]

if a fuse is blowing, you have an intermittent short. just a guess but... a good place to start looking might me the wiring that goes into the driver's door. peel back the rubber boot and take the black plastic cylinder apart and check the wires inside to make sure non of them is broken and/or bare. this area is pretty common trouble spot,.

 

[ajezior]

Thank you, A Haynes or Chilton's wouldn't have told me that

I will do a check on the door harness first thing tomorrow!

 

[xpolice-explorer]

Thank you, A Haynes or Chilton's wouldn't have told me that

I will do a check on the door harness first thing tomorrow!

No they would not have told you that. However the wiring diagrams in the back will tell you wire colors and terminal locations, they will at least give you an idea of say looking for a dk blue wire w a wht stripe in a bundle of 30+ wires.

 

[bobflood]

Great source for wiring diagrams:
Auto - Online Repair Info
http://search.ebscohost.com/
Login ID: rrcc
Login PW: rebsco
Select: Auto Repair Reference Center
Fill in: Find Your Vehicle
Follow prompts down to Wiring Diagrams.

+1 on looking in the wire bundle in the driver's door jam.

Good luck.