Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) blowing fuse, no start

[telliott]

Ignore the sig, this is on a 94. It wont start and keeps blowing the f2 40 amp fuse. Tried bypassing the clutch safety switch but still blows so that can be eliminated. Any ideas where to start looking?

 

[telliott]

there is a pink and black wire leading to that fuse. Without a schematic, as far as i can tell, that fuse runs the starter relay, blower motor and power windows. My first thought is the starter relay must be bad. However, the fuse blows in the power position before you even turn the key to the start position. Does anyone know if the starter relay gets power in the key "on" position or only in start?

 

[B.G. Smith]

I have a Haynes manual and it looks like the pink wire is hot all the time to the relay, if so, looks like you would have to have a short in the wire it's self or the contacts in the relay are welded together. If that is the case the starter may have problems also. bg

 

[PBJ2500CTD]

If the fuse is blowing in the "run" position before moving to the "start" position try removing the Starter Motor Relay from the PDC. If it still blows in the "run" position after the relay is pulled you may have a shorted wire or a bad ignition switch. Any of the other circuits fed by the F2 line have significantly lower rated fuses and would (hopefully) blow before F2. My first guess was the starter motor and/or solenoid. If the engine starter motor relay contacts froze in the closed position the starter would be engaged all the time, regardless of the position of the ignition switch - but this is getting off of the "KISS" principle of electronic troubleshooting and involving multiple malfunctions.

On edit: Oh, the Engine Starter Motor Relay is energized in the "start" position. If the contact arm of the relay disengaged from the relay coil it may short internally causing your issue. Substtitue a known good relay.