Fuse #13 blowing out!

[Goldlexus]

I posted a message a few days ago titled "What is my van trying to tell me?" The message I posted was about the battery here it is copied/pasted:
" 99 Windstar....
Sometimes when my van hasn't been driven for a couple of days or after I have started it briefly to pull it out of the garage, my van will give a very slight hesitation to start when I turn the key. When I get the hesitation the speedometer, gas gage, rpm gage and temp gage will swing to the extreme right for a brief moment than returns to their normal positions. It doesn't do that any other time, only at the times I mentioned above. Is my van trying to tell me something? Maybe, battery is getting old? Outside of these specific times my van starts quickly and runs normally. Any ideas?"

Okay now this is what is happening now. We drove the van on a 2 1/2 hour trip on Sunday. Just before we arrived to our hotel the right clicker start going fast and the little light bulb on the dash was lite. I had this before, thought it was the bulb but turned out to be the fuse #13. Since I had a box of fuses with me I replaced the fuse, the fuse I pulled was indeed blown. Went to start the car and it wouldn't start! Just a click sound, so someone came to give us a boost, the van started right up. Van started but the right clicker was stilling not working. Drove the car to a mechanic, he hooked it up to the charger, the battery was fine and the alternator was good too. Possibly the starter but the gages swinging over to the right when we got the boost sounded like maybe something else going on. Long story short, car has been starting perfectly since not even a hesitation. #13 fuse was working too, we had the right clicker (and all else that fuse works) the rest of the trip until today when heading home. Clicker was going fast and had the light icon on the dash. Pulled over replaced fuse but it blew too. Something is blowing out the fuse. The car is starting fine still but wondering if the starter and fuse is two different problems are symptoms of the same problem. Any ideas?????

[wiswind]

I wonder if the filament in one of the turn signal light bulbs is shorted. If there is too much current......the turn signal will click much faster.
I would also give the sockets and wiriing that you can get a look at a good looking over. It really sounds like you have a short (not an open) in the right turn signal circuit.

Does the car have a trailer light plug?
If so....that would be something else to take a look at.

[12Ounce]

I'm thinking you've two problems.

One is, possibly, with the PCM power relay and/or the fuel pump relay ... replacing them would be a good beginning on that one.

The other (fuse #13) is probably a dirty/wet lamp holder or a lamp about to fail. I would remove and inspect all lamps involved ... lubricate the lamp bases before reinstalling.

Edit: Oops. I've been away for an hour or so ... I see Wiswind has covered the fuse issue.

[Goldlexus]

Originally Posted by 12Ounce

I'm thinking you've two problems.

One is, possibly, with the PCM power relay and/or the fuel pump relay ... replacing them would be a good beginning on that one.

The other (fuse #13) is probably a dirty/wet lamp holder or a lamp about to fail. I would remove and inspect all lamps involved ... lubricate the lamp bases before reinstalling.

Edit: Oops. I've been away for an hour or so ... I see Wiswind has covered the fuse issue.

So are you saying that the starting problem could be related to the PCM power relay or fuel pump relay?
and the #13 fuse could be a problem with the lamps?
Are the PCM power relay and fuel pump relay were the fuses are? I don't have my manual right here with me but I seem to remember some relays above the fuses.
Thanks for your replies!! I will be working on the fuse blow out today.

[12Ounce]

Yes, either/both of these relays will affect starting ... they are not the only things, of course .... but both have plagued me in the past.

There are two main fuse/relay panels .... (plus a small one didicated to radiator fan relays) ... in the '99 and later Windstars.

Get your owner's manual and look for the relays for PCM and fuel pump in the fuse/relay box, under hood, next to the battery. As you already, know there is also a box near driver's left foot.

[Goldlexus]

We haven't had any other start problems lately. As for the fuse 13 blow out still having problems! I have changed the bulbs and the fuse it worked for 3 days and blew again today. I put in 10A fuses as per the manual. The bulbs I took out and replace looked good one was a bit gray, wouldn't have noticed it had I not had the other bulb. I haven't looked at the bulbs since the fuse blew today so I don't know yet. I am just a bit frustrated with it all right now. Any suggestions shy of pushing the van over a cliff?

[Goldlexus]

Originally Posted by Goldlexus

We haven't had any other start problems lately. As for the fuse 13 blow out still having problems! I have changed the bulbs and the fuse it worked for 3 days and blew again today. I put in 10A fuses as per the manual. The bulbs I took out and replace looked good one was a bit gray, wouldn't have noticed it had I not had the other bulb. I haven't looked at the bulbs since the fuse blew today so I don't know yet. I am just a bit frustrated with it all right now. Any suggestions shy of pushing the van over a cliff?

Okay I lied....I changed the Right rear turn lamp and the left rear brake lamp (those are on fuse 13) but I didn't change the left rear park lamp which is also on fuse 13. I don't know which is the left rear park lamp! Can someone tell me which bulb that would be? Sorry if it sounds stupid that I don't know but I am just a van owner trying to troublshoot this myself. Thanks!