Fuse 13 keeps blowing 4.0L 1997

[bigmark303]

This is the 3rd 1997 4.0L ive had that blows fuse 13. It happens when im usually off roading while bouncing spinning a tire and then if I let off the gas the truck stumbles and sometimes even stalls. I have no check engine lights and everything is in order with the engine as far as mechanically. I know its stalling because of an electrical issue and not a mechanical one.

All three of my 1997 4.0L trucks have done that. On the first two trucks (2wd) only sometimes the fuse would blow when in the situation explained above. On my 4x4 the fuse always blows.

Anyone else have this issue. I never gave it much thought before but now on my third 1997 with the 4.0L and they have all done it so id like to have an idea of what it is.

 

[Observer]

Is that fuse for oxygen sensors by chance?

I heard about that, I seem to recall the number 13 from somewhere.. not sure.

 

[Redneck_Ranger]

Well, start out with this... Figure out what you lose when that fuse blows. Check ALL the wires for those things. There is a short somewhere... Here's another idea. Take a taillight bulb, and make a mount for it to fit into the fuse socket. Put the key to the "on" position, not starting the truck. Take a compass and walk around the truck. The compass will point to the general location of the short so you can check the wiring there. The bulb takes up the power and won't blow out. I've done this multiple times.

 

[bigmark303]

Well, start out with this... Figure out what you lose when that fuse blows. Check ALL the wires for those things. There is a short somewhere... Here's another idea. Take a taillight bulb, and make a mount for it to fit into the fuse socket. Put the key to the "on" position, not starting the truck. Take a compass and walk around the truck. The compass will point to the general location of the short so you can check the wiring there. The bulb takes up the power and won't blow out. I've done this multiple times.

I will try the compass and bulb idea.

I have already went through the listed items the fuse relates to according to the owners manual (PCM sys/stoplamps/4WD/ABS/Speed control) I have checked wires for a short and none that I can find? Ive had the truck down hunting this very slowly and going back over everything in detail multiple times for the past week. No luck

In my 2wd I would always loose the shift interlock so it wouldnt come out of park and the brake lights. All three of mine are automatic. Besides that on the 2wd models nothing else was directly effected it seemed. No speed control on either model and the rear ABS on the 2wd ones always worked, no abs or brake light at all and the pedal would pulsate.

On my 4x4 model I loose the brake lights, shift interlock, and 4 low. 4 high is still functional and I have 4 wheel abs as I should.

Im curious too see if anyone else had this issue with the 4.0L None of my other trucks ever did this. Ive had 1993 3.0L 4x4, 1995 2.3L 2wd, 1998 2.5L 2wd, 1998 3.0L 2wd. None of those ever had this issue, but all three of my 1997 4.0L have the same exact issue. It only happens if the truck is bouncing around spinning tires and then I let off the throttle and it either stalls or stumbles bad and I have to rev it to keep it from stalling. In either case if it just stumbles or completely stalls it still blows fuse 13. Otherwise when I drive it on the road like a car it never happens.