96 Rodeo electrical prob

1. Dash lights went out
2. Tail lights went out (probable same time)
3. Found fuse blown
4. Diconnected all tail and marker lamps
5. Still blows 15a fuse
6. Found relay behind drivers side kick panel, checked ok, but replaced anyway
7. Still blows fuse
8. Diconnected all connectors (exc srs lamp) from behind the dash (these lights are on same circuit), still blows fuse.
9. Diconnected the illumination adjustment module, still blows fuse
10. Could not find a way to diconnect the wire feeding inst panel lamps from tail light circuit to see which had the short.
Observations:
A. When the truck has remained unused for several hours, putting a fuse in, all lights work, instr, tail and marker. After approx two to three minutes the fuse finally blows. Subsiquent installation of a new fuse cause it to blow immediately. Additionally, when the fuse is first plugged in, the tail light relay hatters, rapidly, until the fuse blows.

Question:
1. Am I missing something in the circuit, a device, that may be taking a minute or to to heat up and then remains shorted until it cools off? I'd have swarn it was the coil on the lamp relay going to ground.
2. If not, are there any pinch points or known trouble areas where circuit could rub and go to ground? Taking the car apart to trace down each wire is tough solution. I believe the fuse is identified as a 15a, CB5. The headlamp switch, wiring and relay all test good. the output side of the relay (green w/red tracer) that feeds the tail lamp and dash light circuit shows .2 ohms to ground, essentially a short. Any suggs appreciated.

I have a question, does this illumination adjustment module control all of your instrument panel lights?
Crystal3477

I have exactly the same problem with my 99 rodeo...has the problem been identified?