Damm electrical problem...Help!

[lead09]

Fuse #8 blew on Friday on my way home from work. I throw another one in and it lasts about a day. Now it pops instantly.

My understanding is that it does these items:

dome light
glove box light
power mirrors
map light
radio

This is what I have done:
-disconnected the radio. Nothing there but the 2 factory connectors.
-remove the bulbs from the above mentioned lights
-disconnected the power mirror switch in the consol
-I've put a bulb across the fuse terminals so that it lights up. If it is a short and I jiggle the wire the light so go out or flicker. I removed the kick panels, glove box and I reached under the dash and I can't break the circuit.

Is there anything else I can do short of pulling the dash?

I don't know why it blew, worked for a day, and now blows immidiately. The previous owner put in a alarm and did a horrendus job. Even looking at the spreaker wiring makes me scared to know what lies beneath the dash...I wanted this to be a winter project....

The only thing remotely electrical I did in the previous days was get a tune. I've check the wires in the kick panel closely and the all look good.

Any help would be great! Sorry for the long post...

 

[HISSIN50]

You're on the right track. Did the test light actually go out (stop illuminating) when you wiggled one particular harness?

As you continue to trace down the wire, the test light can get brighter as you get closer to the region of the short.

I havent used one, but they sell little short finders that give audible clues to help narrow down the issue.

Good luck.

 

[lead09]

No I haven't gotten the light to go out.

I'can't figure out a way to narrow down the area it is in?

Could the dimmer cause this?

Thanks.

 

[HISSIN50]

The dimmer sources power from the lighting circuit (parking/headlights) and it has it's own fuse. Not the place I'd look myself.

 

[Saleen0679]

While the panel dim rheostat sources some of its power from fuse 4 for instrument illumination it also sources power from fuse 8 for the dome light switch part of the panel dim control.

I don't have info specific to the 1990 model so I'm looking at 89 & 93 info, but you may also want to check any parts/wiring associated with the courtesy lamp switches (also including door jamb switches, luggage compartment, engine compartment), visor vanity mirrors, fuel filler door switch, and warning chime. Looks like you've already taken are of the other items.

 

[HISSIN50]

Saleen, thank you for the correction

I forgot all about dimmer being able to turn on the dome light (I do my best not to touch the rheostat as it is).

 

[lead09]

Hahaha! What a pain!

I had the shroud of the steering columm and was ready to tear out the dimmer switch when I figued I should check the trunk. I don't have a gas door release but Ford puts it on the harness anyways. Well, guess what? The damm plug (female type) plugged itself onto a bolt in the trunk. As soon as I saw it I knew it was it.

Fawk I don't know how much time I spent under the dash...

Thanks for all the replies...