Blowing fuses...

Since the ABS thread that I originally started is getting so long I thought I would repost the current problem here.

I am blowing the 10 amp fan/alt fuse just by turning the key to accessory/on (i.e. without the engine running). I disconnected everything associated with that fuse (according to the owners manual...ABS, starter, alternator/generator, cruise control, and seq. fuel inj., cooling fan). I then put a new fuse in and turned the key and it still blew the fuse. In looking at Chilton I notice that the brake light switch and the automatic transaxle harness were connected to the fuse as well. I disconnected the harness from the transaxle and the brake light switch and tried again. The fuse did not blow. So I reconnected all the components (one at a time) (each time turning the key with no blown fuse) until everything except the harness to the transaxle. Again turning the key and no blown fuse. So I then started the car and a few seconds after starting the fuse blew. So I turned off the car and put a new fuse in and just turned the key to accessory and it didn't blow. That was yesterday. Today I resolved to trace the wiring I thought involved looking for breaks, rodent teeth marks, etc. With the transaxle harness still disconnected I turned the key to accessory just to open the windows and low and behold the fuse blew.

So I am at a loss as to what could be causing it. I don't even know where or what to look for at this point. Any direction would be greatly appreciated

Thank you!
mptc

Here is a question...can a faulty or shorted Neutral Safety Switch cause the Fan/Alt 10 amp fuse to blow? IOW...is it the cause or the symptom?

Thanks!
mptc

Sounds to me like a chaffed harness. If the fuse blew constatanly until you unplugged the trans, I would be looking at that harness first. Follow it closely, some of those ran right on top of ground studs and a/c line studs and would short on those.

Also have the voltage/regulator on your alternator checked out!

Sounds to me like a chaffed harness. If the fuse blew constatanly until you unplugged the trans, I would be looking at that harness first. Follow it closely, some of those ran right on top of ground studs and a/c line studs and would short on those.

The harness wiring looks okay...the car was blowing the fuse (10 amp Fan/Alt/Starter/CC/ABS/FInj) before it quit starting all together. I need to get a wiring diagram to see what all runs through the Neutral Safety Switch. Which is why I was curious to know if the NSS started to malfunction could it have been responsible for the blowing of the fuse and then eventually wore out altogether at which time I could not start the engine. IOW could it have been a progessive thing.

mptc

Okay...attached is a pdf of the wiring diagram. Can anyone tell me if the NSS (Range Selector Switch) can cause the Fan/Alt fuse to blow?

Again is it possible that the NSS started to fail (thus blowing the fuse) and progressively getting worse to the point where the car would not start?

Thanks!
mptc