Blown fuseable link in ignition system?

[88MercWagon]

Hey guys, my car randomly died on me last night, and seemed to lose all functions controlled by the ignition switch. All of this occured shortly after I finished doing the rear brakes, but I can't see how they would be related, other than through the brake light switch. The symptoms are as follows:

-"Acc", "On", and "Start" Functions do absolutely nothing, no accessories work such as radio, power windows, etc.
-Radio cut out 2-3 times shortly before everything shut off
-Brake lights to not work
-Hazard flashers do not work
-Parking lights, headlights, and interior lights DO work
-Slight electrical burning smell from both interior and under the hood

I flipped through the owners manual while waiting for the tow truck, and found that there is an 18ga fuseable link that controls the brake lights and ignition switch, which is located near the starter relay. I'm assuming this is what blew since the brake lights work independently of the ignition switch on these cars.

What I need to know however is:
1. Where is the starter relay? I found the solenoid, but no 18ga fuse near it
2. What could cause this to blow? Bad ignition switch?

Any advice is greatly appreciated, I need this car back on the road ASAP. Thank you guys.

[sly]

sudden battery death syndrome?

[Lincolnmania]

is the ignition switch original?
if it is, replace it, then you may proceed

[MattsLincoln]

do you have an ignition control module, if so replace it as it could be permanently damaged after the incident. you can get them as cheap as $20 dollars on ebay.

[sly]

is the ignition switch original?
if it is, replace it, then you may proceed

This!
after re-reading the original post...
The ignition switch seems the most likely culprit. It's probably shorted.

[88MercWagon]

Turns out it was a broken wire coming off the starter solenoid to the ignition switch. How this happened I don't know, but it's fixed. Thanks for the responses guys!

[1987cp]

Broken wire off the starter solenoid ... sure that wasn't a fusible link? If so, you'd better fix whatever fried it or it'll just happen again.

[88MercWagon]

Positive, it looked like the solder on the connector that holds the two yellow wires to the blade connector. One new connector and some solder and she's good as new. All of this occured well before the fuseable link, which I also tested for continuity.

As for why, the only thing I could see was the insulation around the two wires was in very poor shape, which leads me to think someone had messed around in there before. Other than that, I'm clueless.

[1987cp]

Funky!

I'd observe that I don't remember those ring terminals having solder on them, but then, all mine are coated with a big casting of rubber, so I wouldn't know. :3gears:

[85crownHPP]

Its likely to have been monkeyed with already... I'd take a look at that ignition switch/connector to make sure nothing's going on there....!

[88MercWagon]

1987cp: Mine was coated in an odd sort of rubber/plastic insulation, which was in questionable shape. Removing this revealed the broken connection

85crownHPP: I pulled the bottom of the column off to test for power, and everything literally looked like it was built yesterday. Nothing at all appeared tampered with, and there were no scratches on any of the plugs from having been pulled apart before.

Thank you for your advice guys, I really appreciate it. I'm going to keep the bottom cover off of the steering column for a few days to make sure the ignition switch isn't getting hot.