Chevrolet Repair: 1995 chevy s10 blown starter wire fuse, chevy s10, amp fuse

Question
Hello-

I have a 1995 chevy s10 4.3 liter and every so often it blows the in-line 30
amp fuse on the starter wire.  It is a heavy red wire and has been replaced by
a previous owner in the past, it is not factory.  When it blows this, the truck
shuts down and will not do anything.  I have experimented and it seems to
not matter what is running when it blows (A/C, radio, turn signals, etc).  It
juat happens out of nowhere.  Any ideas?

Answer
Hi Ben,

I have to wonder why this wire exists.  There was a reason the prior owner thought it was necessary.  How heavy?  Battery cable heavy? Or, 10GA heavy?  Why does this wire have the ability to control the entire truck?  When you say 'the truck shuts down and will not do anything', does that mean when it blows, it acts as if the battery was disconnected?  Or, it won't respond to trying to start?  Does the truck act right immediately when the fuse is replaced?

Ok, based on the info I have now, I suspect an intermittent short.  This short probably took out some important component; which is why the aftermarket 30amp fuse.  I can't see why to suspect the starter, since the blowing is not happening during cranking.  In a long shot, possibly, maybe the starter is dragging after the truck is started and draws a current.  Could be a sticking solenoid.  You can rule this out, maybe, possibly, by having the starter checked.  You pull it off and take it to a good auto parts store.  They will check it, should be FREE.  If the problem is intermittent, it may not reveal anything.  

If you are interested, write again with more information.  Try to answer my questions at the top of this message.  I will rethink the problem.

C J S