turn signal/backup light circuit

[81vetter]

I just know everyone enjoys these little electical nightmares as much as me.
Keep blowing fuse for turn signal/backup light. Fuse blows when I'm not using turn signals or backing up. Causes engine to hesitate when it blows fuse. Can a short in this circuit pull power through another? Not sure where to look.
Can I isolate the two circuits to see which one is causing it? Noticed on electrical diagram the pink power wire to the fuse panel supplying power for this circuit comes from HEI distributor area which may explain the engine behavior when the short occurs..??..
Anyone found anything similar...I have been through past posts and am in the process of tracking down all the grounds....
If I disconnect the backup light switch at the engine harness will the car still run...not sure if it needs the neutral switch...manual seems to infer they are one in the same switch.

 

[69MyWay]

My guess is you have a wire pinched around the steering column, or center console.

There is nothing fun about this job, but if you can't isolate the problem, you can always jumper in new wires from the fuse panel to the column and back up switch and go from there.