Fuse #20 Blowing

[IDIACaleb]

1997 Ford explorer sport. Alright, the fuse for my radio is repeatedly blowing. I really want to get this fixed considering this is the fuse for my radio. I have posted on here before but I thought I'd be more specific with my question.

It's either A- bad ground, or B- short due to exposed/frayed wires.

So my question is, which specific grounds should I be checking? And which wires/path should I check? I'm not too familiar with much radio nonsense, so if you could explain your answers as simple (dumbed down) as possible that'd be great.

 

[koda2000]

you have a short (power to ground) somewhere on the circut protected by fuse #20. it may have nothing to do with your radio. check your owner's manual and see what else is protected by this fuse.

 

[IDIACaleb]

Radio, Power Antenna, RAP Module, GEM, Mobile Telephone Transciever.

 

[koda2000]

Mobile Telephone Transciever? Who added this and how? I wouldn't think a '97 would have come with that stock.

 

[R1dd1cK]

Ford has had provisions for cell phones since the early 90's. It was just an option you had to ask for if you wanted it.

 

[IDIACaleb]

I don't have the MTT, but the fuse still lists it. But here's an update - I have gone through the process of elimination to pinpoint which of those was blowing the fuse and it was in fact the radio. I unplugged the radio and replaced the fuse again and it has yet to blow when it would normally blow within five minutes.

SO now that I have pinpointed the issue being the radio, how do I fix it?

 

[koda2000]

cheapest/easiest fix would probably be to replace your radio with an aftermarket HU. Metra sells the adaptor to make it fit the hole in your dash, and an adaptor to connect the wiring without cutting up your trucks wiring harness. both can be had for under $30 on-line, or try WalMart.

 

[budwich]

Hopefully your "procedure" for deciding that the radio was at fault was "good". Just disconnecting the radio DOESN'T necessarily mean its the radio's fault depending on what the current level was before and after. IF you disconnect everything else and then plug in the radio, I suspect that the fuse won't blow... maybe... ... but then again, IF you want a new radio, your result may be exactly what you are looking for...

Question, if you leave everything connected and just turn your key to accessory so that you can play your radio, does it blow the fuse??? IF not, then it likely ain't your radio. Odds are high that the problem is associated with GEM wiring / circuitry.

 

[Gealii]

Is it an aftermarket radio? I had a problem with all my fords blowing the fuse to the radio after i installed an aftermarket radio. My solution went from a 10a fuse to a 15a haven't blown it since

 

[IDIACaleb]

Yes it is an after market radio. And @ Budwich, haven't given that a shot yet. Haven't had the time to mess with it all that much.

@Gealii, it's an after market radio and it blows fuses that are even bigger. It requires a 7.5 amp and it'll blow any size.

 

[Gealii]

Yes it is an after market radio. And @ Budwich, haven't given that a shot yet. Haven't had the time to mess with it all that much.

@Gealii, it's an after market radio and it blows fuses that are even bigger. It requires a 7.5 amp and it'll blow any size.

Have you tried rewiring it to make sure all your connections are solid and are guaranteed not to touch anything else metal. If it didnt blow fuses with the stock radio id check here first. BTW if the radio has an internal short its on-board fuse would blow first

 

[IDIACaleb]

Haven't tried rewiring it yet. Don't really know how I need to do that to be completely honest.

 

[IDIACaleb]

Update - I replaced the fuse and it won't blow if I'm not driving. When I start to drive (possibly when I turn my steering wheel all the way) the fuse blows. The wires are NOT touching the steering column when I turn it, so it doesn't make any sense to me why it's blowing when it is.

It is not an internal short becuase like Gealii mentioned, it has an on-board fuse which is fine.

This is really starting to bug me out, if you've got any suggestions hit me with em. But I've looked at all the wiring and it's all tied together with electrical tape and doesn't seem to be touching any metal. IF you're thinking I should check the grounds, where would those be, or how could I find them?

Thanks.

 

[IDIACaleb]

And when I say not driving I mean with the engine on and off.