98windstar Fuse Problem - Thar She Blows!

My ABS & BRAKE LIGHT have been on for a couple years now - mechanic said I'd have to change something to the tune of $800, so figured I could live with the light being on.

Decided today to try and see if the fuse for the interior light was what causes it not to turn on when I open the doors - it does work if you push in the button on the panel, but not when you open the doors.

Tried to figure out from the diagram what's what and saw what I think is the fuse for this, which appeared fine. I did find the fuse, #30, to have blown, which I believe is for the ABS light. Replaced it with another one and turned the car on, immediately blew the fuse again.

Can anyone tell me what would cause this to happen with the fuse. Possibly why my interior light won't come on when I open the doors, yet works when you push the overhead button, and possibly.

Also, my back drivers side window doesn't open - could this be linked to the problem with the lights? Anything to do with that my cruise control hasn't worked in a number of years?

That's just the tip of the iceberg!

THANKS FOR ANY HELP!!!!

Debbie

:( Wow, is it my breath?

I have a 96 and my cruise fuse keeps blowing and it takes my horn with it. haven't figured it out yet. about the dome light is there a door overide switch on the light or the dash? Your window you need to check to see if you have power at the window plug if you do try tapping on the motor sometimes they get stuck otherwise you will need a motor. when you run the test run the window switch both ways open and close if it has power on close only it could be a dirty or faulty switch.

My horn works, just the cruise is out. I wonder if my cruise control and my ABS light & sensor have anything to do with each other???

Thought there may be an "easy" solution I could possibly understand and try - I'm a single Mom that doesn't know squat about cars and trying to avoid paying a mechanic to try and fix it if it's something simple I could try myself first.

Thanks for the reply - I appreciate that you took the time to try and answer my question :)

The two may share the same 12volt supply circuit ... I don't have a circuit diagram for the '98.

Many posters have had problems with the "cruise control disconnect switch". When it fails... the cruise doesn't work. When it REALLY fails ... the cruise control and its circuit are grounded. The part number for the '99 is F58Z-9F924-AA. You might check at the dealership to see is this is the part number for the '98. Go ahead and buy whatever switch number is correct for your model. I don't think its that expensive... less than $20 I think.

The switch is located on the master cylinder (if it exists at all on the '98).

Changing this switch would be a good "starting point" to find your problem.

wireing diagrams 95-98 windstar... Good luck
http://autozone.com/servlet/UiBroker?ForwardPage=/az/cds/en_us/0900823d/80/1d/3a/bb/0900823d801d3abb.jsp

Thanks! Going to take this info to my mechanic-it's beyond me.

Thanks for the AZ site - may prove to be helpful somewhere along the way.