2001 Ford Ranger with automatic transmission came in with fuse #2 in the interior fuse block blowing for the customer daily. Customers main complaint was that the a/c would stop blowing when the fuse would blow.
Inserted fused jumper wire that uses ATO/ATC fuses. Cheaper fuses to blow and can access wiring to do amp draw testing.
Ran vehicle and operated a/c while wiggling wires. No problem found. Moved vehicle and fuse blew as shifter was moved through reverse. Checked reverse light wiring (okay). Fuse would no longer blow. Drove vehicle, no problem. Consulted wiring diagram and found that fuse #2 supplies power to the overdrive switch and I knew what the problem was. Removed lower panels and steering column shroud and found the shorted wiring harness for the overdrive switch at the shift lever pivot point.
Locate and disconnect O/D switch harness connector and confirm that the short is gone.
The actual short is shown in the last picture. It is the copper colored spot just above and slightly left of the shifter pivot pin. Wrapped with live rubber tape and electrical tape and reassembled. Fixed!!!!
I finally figured out that if the steering column was tilted all the way down, I could barely squeeze the top cover off the steering column and lift it over the gear lever. I also noticed that with the steering wheel all the way down the fuse didn’t blow when I shifted into Drive. I could only find a tiny spot on a single wire right where it came out of the steering lever that looked like it could be bare wire. So I taped it and so far I’ve been able to shift into Drive no matter how the wheel is tilted. Thanks for this great page!
The lower cover requires that the tilt handle be removed. This handle will unscrew but it can be quite difficult. You may need a pair of pliers or a very small wrench to turn it. There are two flat surfaces where a wrench can be used. The upper cover requires the lock cylinder to be removed. Turn the ignition on and with a small screwdriver depress the locking pin under the steering column and pull the lock cylinder out. Now you can lift and rotate the upper cover off of the steering column and the shifter handle. There are more pictures in the post about turn signals on a Ford Explorer. Either look in the Turn Signal Category or copy and paste this address into your address bar. http://www.sparkysanswers.com/2008/12/2003-ford-explorer-right-rear-turn.html
I have a similar problem with my 2002 Mazda B4000 truck. At first it was intermittent but now it happens all the time. When I move the shift lever to Drive and let go of it, fuse 2 always blows. It turns off the blower, backup lights and O/D switch. I can’t get the steering wheel shroud off. I’ve loosened all the screws but the shift lever prevents me from removing the top cover and another lever prevents me from removing the lower cover. So I can’t get in to see all the wires. Is there a way to remove these levers? They don’t seem to unscrew.
2001 Mazda B2300 – Same symptom of blowing #2 fuse. It would only happen once in a blue moon. Found said o/d switch wire insulation was rubbed raw about 2 inches from shifter handle. This save me a bunch of time and the customer A LOT OF MONEY! THANKS!!!
I had a ranger withe the same problem.