I have a 1988 Samurai.  Recently, I noticed that the turn signals were not working.  I'll try to make a long story short.  After checking out some of the wiring, and doing a lot of research on the web, I discovered that the turn signal/backup lights fuse was blown, and it blows every time I shift into reverse.  After a  lot more reading, I was pretty sure that I could disconnect the backup relay switch on the transmission, and although I would not have back up lights, at least my turn signals would work. 

Well, this morning I crawled under the rig and removed the relay from the transmission.  I crawled back out, put in a new fuse, turned on the ignition switch, tested the turn signals (they worked), and then moved the shifter to "reverse".  The fuse immediately blew!  What the heck?  That doesn't make any sense to me.  If I removed the relay, wouldn't that disable power transfer to the fuse, when the shift lever was moved to "reverse"? 

I'm at a loss.  I can't always find a place to park, that won't require backing up.  I don't want to carry a bucket full of fuses, and replace the back up/signal fuse every time I back up.  I really want/need the turn signals to work.  I could care less if the back up lights work, or not. 

Perhaps  you could call me?  509-7419537

Sounds like you disconnected the wrong switch - there may be as many as three switches under there - one on the  transfer case and one or two on the transmission.

The lights are usually ground based on the Samurai, so it might be triggering a short.

When you said you removed the relay do you mean you unplugged the switch that is on the side of the transmission?

Not sure if it is the same on a Samurai and it sounds silly but I have a '92 sidekick and it had the exact same issue.  It turned out to be a burnt out reverse light.  Make sure to check those and even replace them