Wiring issue/short between gauge cluster and HVAC control?

Hello all, '99 3.4 Ltd owner here

I ripped out my HVAC control unit a while ago because it was draining my battery, buttons and dials were not responsive, and it kept blowing the fuse to my gauge cluster, but only that one fuse. The unit itself would also shut off, and neither one would turn back on unless I replaced the fuse.

I recently had it sent to a guy for repair. Just got it back today as well as a phone call saying it was tested and working just fine. Well I went to go put it back in and the controls were all working fine again, but still kept blowing the fuse. I'd plug the unit in, try to turn on the heat/ac and it would work for about 2-3 seconds and then blow it out.

I've narrowed the problem down to a wiring issue somewhere, maybe a short circuit/bad ground? If it is, is there a diagram that shows any wires connecting between the gauge cluster and the instrument panel? Or has anyone had a similar problem?

Thanks!

 

There are wiring diagrams floating around.

It might help if you said which fuse exactly it is blowing. I know you said "gauge" but is that what it is labelled in the relay\fuse block?

 

Dunno if this will be the same for 99 but...

On the 2002 wiring schematic for AUTOMATIC AC:



The combination Meter is your gauge cluster. That is the only connection I could find.

W-B should be a WHITE wire with BLACK stripe.
G-O should be a GREEN wire with ORANGE stripe.

 

I would look for the G-O wire being shorted. That appears to be connected to power in the Combination Meter.

W-B is just ground. A bad ground shouldn't blow a fuse unless it's finding a contact to a hot wire.

...of course that is if 99 is like 2002.

 

A mountain of information! Thank you so much. I'll take it apart and see what I can find.