I swapped the two yellow relays R13 (rear defroster) and R14 (blower motor). That didn't help.

I got to the switch, finally and found black/charred/melted plastic at the connector. The switch itself doesn't look as bad, but it has melted plastic also.

Is the switch and connector separate part numbers or does the switch come with a connector?

It looks like the 4 wires from the switch go to the resistor. Is there a Ford part number for these wires with connectors already attached at both ends? I doubt it, but I thought I would ask anyway.

Is the switch/connector just a weak component that went bad or is there something else that may have caused the switch to burn out like that?

Thanks for your help!!