blowing a fuse

[crs4320]

New to forum and need help. I have a 03 f-250 7.3l. it is blowing fuse
#45 which it says is for ignition switch run/start feed. The truck will
start and runs fine and this is somewhat sporatic but it ususally will
happen when i put truck in reverse or drive. When it does blow the
fuse the instr. panel goes out none of the lights are on as far as in
the panel but everything else works i.e. radio, a.c., lights, windows,
door locks. But also when this happens the gas pedal is non-existent
meaning that it is there but the truck stays at idle even when you
mash the pedal to the floor. I need help badly because like most
I don't really want to have to take it to the dealership.
Thanks, in advance. Chris

[vitalidle]

Hmm sounds like a dead short. I wonder if you have wires in your steering column that are chafing when you move the shifter? You could pull the column apart and see. Hopefully somone will have a better solution for you, but chasing down a short sucks! to Powerstroke.org

[crs4320]

vitalidle,
thanks for the input stripped the whole column down and had no frays
nothing touching shifter or any wires in the way. I saw another post
on here today while researching that said to remove the fuel filter heaters
white plug on the back side of filter housing. Gonna see if that helps
this issue just started today and has me puzzled.
thanks, chris

[vitalidle]

Take a look at this threadhttp://www.powerstroke.org/forum/7-3...-no-pedal.html

[crs4320]

vitalidle,
thanks went to it and i will look at mine when i pulled the column
i did not see any chaffing but will pull it again for a little closer look.
thanks, chris

[4D_M8sit_InTrNtNlSh8ks_IT]

I had this same problem, and it turned the wires going to my overdrive switch where frayed. I just hooked up some electrical tape and it has been fine ever since. Before I fixed it, it was going through 4 or 5 fuses a week, until I saw a puff of smoke come out the steering column. Then i knew for sure what the problem was. Sounds like it is pretty common. Good luck with it man