blown fuse-no backup lights

[jbd172002]

So I have a 97 XLT Explorer and I keep blowing the #26 fuse. It supplies the backup lights, overdrive, and 4wd shift functions as I understand it. I'm not sure whats going on, I can't see anything obvious thus far, but it keeps blowing fuses and I'm not sure what to do. The car is still totally drivable, but can't get 4x4 and no backup lights, it's getting slightly annoying.
If anyone has any ideas I'd appreciate it, or at least somewhere to start. Thanks in advance.

 

[adsm08]

Replace your backup bulbs.

 

[jbd172002]

it's not the bulbs. I did put brand new ones in. Though the old ones appear totally fine. I did that before I realized it was a blown fuse. It's blown 3 fuses now. So I'm stopping replacing fuses till I get some kind of lead on whats going on. There's still a good chance of some more snow and bad weather around here and I'd like to figure it out so my GF has 4wd functioning properly.

 

[Jabs89brnko]

so it controls 4wd backup lights and OD?

after doing some research on the matter all i can seem to pinpoint from what you say you think it controls would be a faulty/wet socket * OR your 4wd motor is shorting out, check both of those for good connections.

 

[adsm08]

Go get an amp meter that fits into the fuse socket, plug it in and start pulling plugs until it drops below 15 amp.

 

[whiteboi895]

it could be the wiring from the overdrive button. take apart your steering colomn and follow the two black wires down from your overdrive switch. I had the same problem on my 2001 ford ranger and right where the wires came down from the gear selector and met with the steering column the coating had been rubbed off and everytime i switched from park to drive it would short out.