Hi all.

I posted this question a while ago, but probably in the wrong place,
sorry...

I have this wagon with a  non working fuel gauge in the dash.

A few days ago I found a busted fuse in the under-dash fuse box.
Replaced it, and lo and behold: the fuel gauge works again! In addition
to the "check engine" and airbag lights. (I had long forgotten about
those lights since it's primarily my wife's vehicle, and I hadn't
driven it in something like 2 years). Also, the thermometer seems to
work normal now (it used to go up real fast to mid-level, seconds after
starting the car; now that takes a couple of minutes).

Unfortunately the joy didn't last long. After a few trips to town I
noticed the gauge sticking again, and the lights not working. Replaced
the fuse a second time, but again it blew after a short time. Did this
a couple of more times, but it's useless, it always blows. It's fuse
number 18.

The manual's a little vague when it comes to checking fuses. It lists
all the fuses, and which one to check if certain things stop working,
but doesn't even hint about all things that stop working in the
instrument panel when fuse 18 is gone...

Does anyone here know where I might start looking? I could check
everything, but is there a "typical" problem with this Ford Taurus
wagon, maybe? It would save me a whole lot of time. The fact that the
fuse keeps blowing suggests that there's a short circuit somewhere. But
where?

Any ideas, anyone?

Thanks again,

Erik