91 Olds 98 Fuse #6 Dash, Service Engine S

[Rogerkay]

I just purchased this car. 3800 Engine went to get codes and no dash lights. Fuse #6 keeps blowing when I put the key in the run position. Does anyone know a way of getting the sequence of events so I can have a starting point for looking for short? Could this be the ecm? Car doesnt start. I don't think its related as acts like cam sensor. Any help would be appreciated. This is a 1991 Olds 98 Regency Elite. Wiring diagrams on Autozone are correct for a 1992 Olds 98. I have alldata on the car but totally confused with wiring diagrams. Thank you in advance

[maxwedge]

Welcome to AF. You need to look at the diagrams and see what components are fed by#6, there is no quick answer to trace a short. I would focus on getting this running also, whatever #6 feeds may be connected to the no start, first things first.

[Rogerkay]

Thank you for the response. I spent a whole day studying the diagrams only to become more confused. It feeds the dash and all the reminders. I pulled the dash apart and took gauges out and then the fuse didn't blow. I looked for a short in the panel and in the plug for the panel but can't find anything earth shattering. I just got more confused. If I knew the sequence of events then I could at least isolate the problem. There must be some relays involved I think. Does the ECM control with some timing mechanism the sequence that things happen and is there someway to stop it at a certain point? I feel like I'm babbling but I am overwhelmed at trying to trace all the wires. Roger

[Mickey#1]

Are you referring to fuse #6 on the driver or passenger side?

[Rogerkay]

I/P Fusebox, Drivers side, 15 Amp

[Rogerkay]

After reading my responses I thought I should add some thoughts. What I mean about sequence of events and timing is when the key gets turned in the run position what actually happens first, second and so forth? I/P Fuse #6 gets Battery voltage or does a relay somewhere else get turned on to supply the voltage? Is there someway I can step through the events to see when things go bad. Is this just a monitoring circuit? For instance if a switch is bad (shorted out) in the low washer fluid circuit would this blow the fuse? (or any of the switches it is monitoring)

[Rogerkay]

One more thing, I see that the #6 i/p fuse circuit connects to the ignition module. If the camshaft sensor is shorted out would this blow the i/p fuse #6? See how confused I am.

[Rogerkay]

I was wrong in my previous statement I think. A switch is by definition a switch to ground. Therefore if any of the switches are bad (shorted or just in the ground position) it should not make the fuse blow it should just turn on the appropriate reminder or warning light.

[maxwedge]

Back to the get it running first!

[Mickey#1]

Disconnect the wiring harness that goes to the Ignition Control Module & see if the fuse blows.

[Rogerkay]

Disconnected the wiring harness from the ecm. Same thing, blew fuse. I think I will pull all the relays and if it doesnt blow I'll start putting them back one at a time. Any suggestions?

[Rogerkay]

I would love to get it going first but I can't pull off any codes because of the blown fuse. I'm concerned for the wiring because if the motor is no good I will put in another, but I want the wiring fixed so I no its not the wiring thats making it a no start condition.
The one symptom the people told me about the car before I purchased it was they had trouble starting it in the rain or cold. Can this be tied into the fuse circuit that I am having problems with. It feels like a cam sensor to me. Can this be tied into the fuse thing?
Roger

[Mickey#1]

You said the ignition module (ICM) is protected by fuse #6. After I suggested disconnecting the wiring harness to the ICM you said that you disconnected the wiring harness to the ECM. Did you try disconnecting the ICM? It's the module that the ignition coils are mounted to. I've never heard of a cam sensor blowing a fuse but you can also try unplugging that.

[Rogerkay]

Ive unplugged ignition module along with a lot of the relays, and other items still blows fuse

[Rogerkay]

I hate to complain about service manuals, but I get different wiring diagrams at alldata and az. The ones on alldata seem to be correct but wrong on certain areas like the connections of the Instrument panel to the ecm. Either that or I am a confused desperate idiot.