ignition fuse keeps blowing

I have a 93 s10 blazer 4.3, I ran into a problem the other day, everything pointed to the alternator, so I replaced it, turns out the ignition fuse had blown. I was surprized because I didn't thing the car would run without that fuse, but it did. I replaced the fuse and turned the engine on and it blew again. I know the fuse controles the guages speedometer oil and temp guages, and it must have something to do with the alternator because it isn't charging. My question is what else is powered by this fuse so I know where to look for a short, and does anyone out there have any experience with a short in the ignition system. I have talked around and done some reasearch and it isn't sounding good, I'm hearing I could find the problem in a couple of hours up to and including take it to the junk yard cause I could be weeks on it if I ever find the problem.

thanks for any help :screwy:

the vehicle still starts up with the ignition fuse blown? are you sure your looking at the ignition fuse? the ignition fuse should be powering up the coils.

TRace the wires under the daash an in the engine compartment for a short.

Yep, I'm sure it's the ignition fuse, and I didn't think it would run without it either, but then again I never tried it before it blew.