Have a 95 f150 xl 4.9l 2wd ever since i got my truck all the gauges except the speedometer haven't worked so i started looking at it and fuse 17 will blow every time i turn the key. Ive pulled the gauges out still blows I've pulled the head light switch the radio every thing i cant figure it out and its driving me crazy!! Any ideas on what it could be ??

 

Not sure what 17 controls, too cold to go out and grab my book, but had a similar problem with our caddy with the windshield wiper fuse. Turned out to just be a shorted relay that was pulling too much current through the system tripping the fuse. Figure out what 17 controls, find the relay and swap it out with any other relay you have. Try putting in a new fuse.

Report back.

 

17 does the all the gauges besides the speedo and all the warning lights basically the whole cluster

 

Tried moving some of the relays around it didnt work

 

I have pulled the gauges the radio the headlight control tank control and the fuse still blows

 

Electrical problems are a bitch. Your going to have to trace the wires and find the short. I like to get a big pack of fuses, make sure it's quiet and stick in fuse after fuse listening for the snap of the short so I can narrow it down some.

 

It blows when you turn on the ignition switch? OK, get out your owners manual or download it and see what all that circuit controls. I'm guessing that if it is the instrument cluster, it does not branch until it gets into the cab.
You may be able to find which wire it is by looking at the back of the fuseblock. At least you'll be able to see the color and routing. Follow the harness that it is in. It probably goes right to the firewall. Inside the firewall there may be a large connector for that harness. If there is, disconnect it, put in a fresh fuse, then try the ignition. If the fuse does not blow, you have narrowed it down to inside the cab.
Let us know what you find.

 

I disconnected the harness at the wall but now there is no power to the truck at all

 

I found this wire disconnected in my column not sure what to do with it

 

Is the end of that wire bare? Was it touching metal?