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Fuse 13 in engine compartment keeps blowing

1998 Explorer 4x4, V6 SOHC, 5 sp automatic

I have an issue in my explorer where fuse 13 in the engine compartment box keeps blowing, pretty much immediately after you replace it and start the car. This causes an issue with the transmission effectively leaving it in third gear always and turns on the CEL. I took it originally to a tranny shop and they said the tranny was sending out all codes which isn't possible so they looked further and found the fuse issue. They didn't feel there was anything wrong with the tranny, it's just not getting any shift information.

The owners manual says fuse 13 feeds the oxygen sensors, EGR vacuum regulator, EVR solenoid, camshaft position sensor, and the canister vent solenoid. Anyone know which of any of those would affect the transmission?

As the fuse blows immediately I'm thinking I have a short somewhere. The last work done on the truck was just last week while on vacation (too far away to take it back into them). My intake manifold gaskets had a vacuum leak which caused the engine to stop so they replaced the upper and lower gaskets.

Maybe the shop pinched some wires while putting things back together? Any likely candidates from the list above that are near the intake manifold?

Any help appreciated.

Reply to
Al Williams
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Al, No real help. My 97 Exp Ford Cd says fuse 13 is a 60 amp maxi Fuse which feeds the Interior fuse panel, which then feeds all kinds of other loads. Must be different than yours. My only suggestion is to get one of those bootleg Ford CDs for your year 98 Exp. Search the web. usually cost about $10 (a real bargain!). When you find - order soon as they move around from site to site. Then it's a matter of finding which gadget is overloading the circuit. Good Luck-Jerry

information.

transmission?

Reply to
Gerald Riggs

information.

transmission?

Allan, here's a little trick that may help you troubleshoot the problem.

Rig up a 12 volt bulb like a taillight or directional bulb so that you can use it in place of the fuse. If you have a short the bulb will glow at full brilliance. In this situation the bulb acts as a suitable load on the system and prevents any damage or peril to the wiring. Now you can chase around through those areas that the fuse was protecting. When you clear the short, the test lamp brilliance will decrease. It may or may not go completely out depending on what is in the circuit that is still energized. When the short is fixed, you can remove the bulb and replace the fuse.

Charlie

Reply to
Charlie Bress

Inspect the wiring to the O2 sensors would be a good first step..... Sloppy repairs or maintenance can leave these dangle and result in the wiring to the heaters shorting to ground.

If you see nothing there, it is time to get into electrical troubleshooting mode.

Reply to
Jim Warman

OK, I'll start there. My cheapo manual is pretty vague but it looks like they are underneath? Would that be something they'd go near when replacing the intake manifold gaskets?

In my research I also noticed a newer TSB entitled:

03-22-10 NOV 03 A/T - No 2nd, 3rd Gear/No Engine Braking/DTC's Set

The title is interesting in that it's talking about the tranny losing gears - know more detail?

PS to Jim: Thanks for the tip (in one of your old posts) on what tranny shop to goto in Edmonton. Carlo & Jason @ Lo-cost were very helpful in finding the issue.

Thanks to all responders.

Reply to
Al Williams

That TSB refers to an updated separator plate to cure a hydraulic problem in the trans.

The first place to start checking is underneath around the exhaust pipes.... this is where the wiring can cook to the pipes and short out - not a for sure, but a reasonable place to start.

I hope it's not raining there like it is here..... we have the fire department on flood stand by....

Reply to
Jim Warman

Poked around the wires, removed and replaced some connectors for all the affected components but didn't see anything obvious. Afterwards I replaced the fuse and everything is fine now - fuse doesn't blow, no CEL, and the transmission now shifts properly. Two theories:

1) While doing my inspection I "fixed" the issue. 2) The tranny shop when they tried a new fuse used an already blown fuse (they said they got it out of the spare fuses but did they check it first?)

Either way if it happens again at least I know where to look. Hard to believe that a blown fuse can affect the automatic transmission that way.

Nice that a problem that I thought was going to cost me thousands only ended up costing a buck ;-)

Thanks to all.

Reply to
Al Williams

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