I have a 96 Taurus that had that problem. Inside the front left fender, under the shroud, there is a wiring harness. At the center of these wires are the 2 main wires going to the fuse panel. These wires are larger than the others in the harness. One of these two wires has a short. Good luck finding it. Look for a place on these 2 wires that there is some discoloration on the insulation, or where the wire seems stretched, or there is a hole from a circuit tester.
You need to check the fuse in the fuse panel or the horn relay in the power distribution box under the hood
Answer 1 - Fuse Panel FireThe cause is/was a "SHORT CIRCUIT" condition on the "incoming" [from the battery] side of the fuse panel.
Malfunctioning alternator, malfunctionining fuse panel, short in the main power wires, ECM failure... take your pick.
Door locks are protected by circuit breakers. A surge of power to a fuse would cause it to blow. They are located in the fuse panel.
More than likely has 2 fuses. One in the fuse panel and another inline fuse somewhere between the fuse panel and the radio on the red power wire.
Check the fuse in the fuse panel. Also look and see if there is an inline fuse blown. I already checked the fuse panel and the fuse on the back of the radio. I don't know what the problem could be. The radio is not burnt because I replaced it and still no power. There may be another inline fuse somewhere between the fuse panel and the radio. Do you have power at the radio? I assume you do not. I would check, with a multimeter, where the radio power cable is connected at the fuse panel and see if you actually have power. If you do then you know that somewhere between that point and the radio you have a problem. As a last resort you could just run a new power cable to the radio from the fuse panel. Be sure to install an inline fuse if you do this. How do I run a new power cable to the radio from the fuse panel and install an in-line fuse?
issue with common ground.
I'm not a mechanic/technician but I would start by checking fuse # 18 in the fuse panel . Fuse # 18 is a 25 amp fuse for your power door lock relays The fuse panel is on the driver's end of the dash , the cover for the fuse panel is visible with the driver's door open
fuse link
In a 1996 Ford Thunderbird : In the fuse panel under the instrument panel , to the left of the steering column ( on the fuse panel it is marked SEAT / LOCK , it is a 20 amp fuse for the power locks , power seats , and decklid release solenoid )
Most likely cause would be a blown fuse.
That would be in the interior fuse panel under the driver dash