94 2.3L 5speed

[Jayville]

94 2.3L 5speed keeps blowing ignition fuse!!!

My truck started sputtering at take off then would run fine it did this for a cpl of days then all of a sudden it died with no power to any gauges. I got it home and found my ign fuse was blown I changed it, turned the key blew the fuse again. Followed all the ign wires could not visually find a short so I changed the ign switch on the column and tired again. Turned the key blew the fuse!! Any suggestions would be great!! Thanks

 

[SRich]

Has anyone put a aftermarket radio system in. Some previous owner had done a radio change and rewired incorrectly and was dragging all current for ECM etc through those wires consequently blowing my ignition fuse because of the voltage drop/amp rise equation.

 

[RonD]

My truck started sputtering at take off then would run fine it did this for a cpl of days then all of a sudden it died with no power to any gauges. I got it home and found my ign fuse was blown I changed it, turned the key blew the fuse again. Followed all the ign wires could not visually find a short so I changed the ign switch on the column and tired again. Turned the key blew the fuse!! Any suggestions would be great!! Thanks

Is that the 50amp fuse in the Power Box?

And fuse blows when key is turned to on(RUN) not to START?

The coils and ICM(ignition control module) are powered when key is turned to on, I would unplug those to test if they are shorted.

So you don't waste fuses, use a Volt/OHM meter to test for a short, a $20 meter can save you hundreds of dollars down the road.
Remove ignition fuse and test which slot has 12volts(20vDC setting on meter), that's the battery power.
The other slot is the Load side going to ignition switch(yellow wire on '94).
Switch meter to 100 ohms, or lowest setting, connect one probe to Load slot and the other probe to a good ground.
With key off you will see high OHM number
With key on you should see 0 ohm number, dead short.

Start unplugging the coils and ICM, when OHMs go up the short has been removed.
It could be a shorted wire as well so move wires around and watch meter for changes.

My guess would be a coil or ICM because of the sputtering for those few days.

Also unplug alternators 3 wire connector, that gets power with key on

Google: autozone 1994 ranger wiring

Autozone has a Repair Guide section which has wiring diagrams for most vehicles, '94 2.3l is there

 

[snake]

Ive seen a heated 02 sensor do this also. If you cant find the short from advice above unplug those too