Haven't forgot you but got sidetracked today.
please re-read my posts re my headlight switch recall.
If you haven't been the registered owner (with Ford) of your car since new you should go to a Ford dealer and find out what recalls are outstanding on your VIN and also get registered. You can check at
web page to see the items on the list some of which may not apply to your particular model. A dealer has more info available.
Back to your fuse blowing situation:
I have been asking questions to try and isolate the problem area and find out if your '96 is close to the wiring diagram of my '97, for which I have the Ford wiring manual. (The manual however has proven itself to be unclear in spots and innaccurate in others.) Tracing shorts are more difficult than open circuits.
What size and positon is blown fuse - 7.5 amp position 31?
In order to isolate problem we are going to have to pull a few under dash electrical connectors - are you up to the task? Do you have a couple of spare fuses? The first is the connector to dimmer switch, remember these have plastic locking tabs that must be released before and while you are pulling the connector off the switch terminals.
I can't check accessibility of this connector now but will try tomorrow. If you can pull connector then insert new fuse and see what happens.
I'll have to end here tonight, will continue tomorrow if you post.
p.s. BTW we are talking about guage lights only right, all dash control lights (e.g. HVAC switches) are OK right?
