Power Socket Fuses 96 Windstar

We have had the 96 Windstar for about six months. The power sockets are on three different fuses. From the start the cigarette lighter socket was blowing the 15 amp fuse, and even a 20 amp installed in error. Today I found all three sockets did not work. 5 amp fuse for the rear power socket blown, 20 amp fuse for the center console socket blown, and was the 15 amp for the cig lighter. Haven't had a problem with any fuse other than the three mentioned.

Originally I thought I was looking for a simple short. Now with all three fuses blowing, I think over time, not all at once, I don't know what I am looking for.

Any thoughts?

Dana

No personal experience here. Hope someone else with a van that didn't erupt into flames can give you details of their experience and repair. I think all I can give you is repairman's common sense. Pull each of the sockets to look for problems. The dash one I'd expect grounding most likely possible, not the others. Perhaps the two wires to the sockets are shorting. Has this car been worked on so that the interior has been disturbed? Does the previous owner know of this problem and history? That's my best bet since all three are on separate fuses. With a test meter, see if the two contacts are still a short or open. Do they pop the fuse when the fuse is put in or when something is plugged into the socket? My next thought is to investigate if there is something that is common to all three fuse circuits, but not necessarily actually fed by all three fuses. Interestingly , a device with more than one section may receive power from more than one fuse. What I have unfortunately does not show the wiring circuits containing the sockets, so I can't look myself. That's weird all three are that way.

I have been trying to thing of a common cause for the problem with these fuses. Today I had a thought. Previous owner was confined to a wheel chair and I think he had a lift in the rear. Got me wondering if there could be a short in the wiring at the back of the van? See what I can do to check it out.

Add on items like you mentioned, as well as aftermarket alarm systems, remote starters, and sound systems all are common DIY (and I include most shops in the DIY area for these things).

Remote starter! The Windstar has one... I had not thought of that. Good chance either that or the electrical at back end for the lift install are responsible. I don't think I can figure this one out so probably need to look for a good auto electrical shop.